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DUKE UNIVERSITY Libiv.... 


‘POSTHUMOUS WORKS 


thins “4 


m, \ f , 
Ae F 
RY OF THE 
a : 

4 


REV. JOHN FLETCHER, 


COMPILED BY 


THE REV. MELVILLE HORNE, 


Curate of Madeley. 


NEW-YORK: 


*®  YUBLISRED BY N. BANGS AND T. MASON FOR THE METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 


J, ©. Totten, Printer, 9 Bowery. 


in . 1824. 


‘ 
oo : 
Tw “" aft 


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’ opie 2: , t * AY, 
‘ ee ee ee CL re pe 


PREFACE. | 


- @@e-- 


Tue name of the venerable Mr. Fiercuer inscribed on 
this volume will introduce it to the perusal of many, and 
its own intrinsic worth will, I flatter myself, entitle it to the 
approbation of proper judges. Thus Iam relieved from 
the pain of soliciting for it the notice of the public, and of 
giving it that commendation, which will better become any 
other person than the editor. It may, however, be ex- 
pected, that I should give some account of my book, and 
I conform, the more cheerfully, to general custom, as it 
affords me an opportunity of conciliating the candour of 
the reader. 

This book is truly Mr. Fuercuer’s. A large part of 
the Letters is transcribed from the originals, others from 
authentic copies, and some from a small collection of 
letters, published a few years ago in Dublin. For the 
“Letters on the Manifestation of Christ,” and the “ Frag- 
ments,” Iam obliged to Mrs. FLercuer: the first are in 
the Author’s own manuscript, the last copied by Mrs. 
Fuiercuer from some of his old pocket-books. The“ Pas- 
toral and Familiar Letters” are written from the period 
of Mr. FLercner’s conversion to within a few days of his 
decease. When the Letters on the Manifestation were 
written, or to whom they were addressed, I cannot learn : 
but from the beginning of the first letter; the decayed 
state of the manuscript, and the extreme smallness of the 
character, (which could scarcely have been legible to the 
Author in his latter years) I judge them to have been the 
first essay of a genius afterwards so much admired. ‘The 
Fragments, of which some appear as the thoughts of the 


vi PREFACE. } 


day, others as notes of sermons, bear date the first x 
years of his ministry. 

If, therefore, any part of this volume, however - mf 
lent, be deemed inferior to the more mature productions of 
the same admirable pen, it is hoped that candour will have 
at least as much weight as criticism. ‘ 

The reader is further requested to remember that 
the pious Author wrote only for himself and his friends ; 
that these sheets want his perfecting hand; and that the 
Editor thought himself entitled to take no liberties. 

It is not expected, that Mr. FLeTcHEr’s reputation as a 
writer will receive new lustre from these Posthumous 
Pieces; but, if the many friends, who revere his memory, 
find edification and delight in perusing his apostolic letters ; 
if any, whose opposition of sentiment would not allow 
them to converse with him as a polemic divine, shall now 
receive him to their breasts as a Christian brother; if 
any, who have not reaped the rich harvest of his former 
writings, are benefitted by the gleanings of the field; and 
if the world in general is made better acquainted with 
the virtues of this excellent man; all the ends proposed . 
by their publication will be obtained, and the will 
think himself justified in giving pea to the press. 

That the benediction of the Almighty may attend these - 
last labours of his servant, that the reader may imbibe 
the spirit of the Author, and that myself and all my fellow- 
labourers in the gospel, may emulate his faith and work 
in the Lord, is the earnest desire of THE EDITOR: 


Letter. 


1 
2 
3 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7 
8 


: B® 


10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14, 
BS. 
16. 
ap. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
33 
24. 
25. 
26. 


27. 


“98. 


29. 


CONTENTS. 
—2ae— 
PASTORAL LETTERS. 


To his Parishioners at Madeley, - - 

do. do. do. halle 
To Mrs. Mary Cartwright, --- 
To Mr. Michael Onions, --- - 
To his Parishioners at Madeley, - 


do. do. do. - - 
To Mr. William Wase, Re 
do. do. Bo So vig 
To Mr. Michael Onions, ---- 


To his Parishioners at Madeley, - 
To Thomas York and Daniel Edmunds, 
ToMr.Jehu, = - - - - - - - 
To Mr. William Wase, ---- 
To his Parishioners at Madeley, - 
To the Society at Madeley, - - - 
To the Societies in and about Madeley, 
To the Rev. Mr. Greaves, --- 
To Mr. Thomas York, ---- 
To Mr. William Wase, - 6 -- 
To the Brethren in and about Madeley, 
To the Rev. Mr. Greaves, --- 
To-Mr. Michael Onions, ---+- 
To Mr. Thomas York, © - - + = 
To the Rev. Mr. Greaves, - - 

do. do. - - 
To Mr. William Wase, - 2 = © 
To the Rev. Mr. Greaves, - <= 
To Mr. William Wase, -- 26 
ae Mr. Thomas York, 


o 
6 
e 
R 


Page. 


BS 


—S 


To the Societies in and about Mad 


To Mr. Vaughan, Boe 


: 


’ CONTENTS» 


To Mr. William Wase, = 


To Mr. John Owen, = = = 
d 
To Mr. Michael Onions, - - 


Tr TAS 
FAMILIAR ee iy alt 2) 
To the Rev. John Wesley,  - - = = 
do. do. +4 “itis pos . | 
To Mrs. Grynne, eo - 75 | 
Fo the Rev. Charles Wesley, = pope os 
do. do. yf ei ri eo 79 
do. do. ote i BGI 
do. do. - = = = 83 
do. do. = ee = , 84 
do. do. yan 
do. do. 
do. do. 


To Mrs. Ryan and Miss Pesrlegaii 
To the Rev. Charles Wesley, — 
do. do. f ¥ aoa 
To the Honourable Mrs. il - 
To the Rev.Charles Wesley, Me - <6 


do. do. 

do. do. “J 
do. - do. a a : 
do. do. * 
do, do. - "4 
do. do. 


do. do. 


To the Rev. Charles We: 
To Miss Hatton, 
To the Rev. Charl 


da. se 


=> do. Se 
ee). ‘de. H > ae 


CONTENTS. 
To Miss Hatton, - + - 
do. a er ete 


~ To Mr. Samuel Hatton, -- 

To the Rev. Charles Wesley, 

To Miss Hatton, - = - 
do. ee 
do. Po ea 

To Mrs. Glynne, = --+- 


“To the Rev. Charles Wesley, 


To Mr. Vaughan, ow biases 


To Miss Hatton, - - 
do. | - - = - 
do. - + - - 
do. - + = - 
do. - 2c + - 
do. - 2 =) 

To Mr. Alexander Mather, - 

To Miss Hatton, - -- 
do. a1 MeRe ey 
do. - + - 
do. - - - 


To Miss Ireland, - - - - 
To James Ireland, Esq. © - - 


To Miss Hatton, aye 
do. wi Bd 
do. Spee 

To Miss 4 ahs, Wied et 

To Miss Hatton, = eels 
do. eres cae a 

To Mrs. Hatton, = stab ot 


To James Ireland, Esq. - = 
To Miss Brain, - - - - - 
To Jathes Ireland, Esq. - - 


To James Ireland, Esq. wonnkl 
To Miss Ireland, --- 
To James Ireland, Esq.» - = = | 


do. = eo 
do. - spond nt 
do. - 
To Mr. . > Sa 
To Mr. Henry Brooke, - 
To Mr. Vaughan, - 
To James Ireland Esq. 
do. - = 
do. , - - 
To the Rev Charles Welle 
do. = =" o0=. =" RS cu 
To James Ireland, Esq. - = at => = 
To Mr. Vaughan, - = = = = = = 199 


To the Rey. Charles Wesley, — 
To Mr. Charles Perronet, «9 = 


TT 


To James Ireland, Esq, - - 
Pode -. "eres 
do. - 


To the Rev. Mr. Charles Wesley, 
To the Rev. Mr. Vincent Perronet, 


aESBE 


To Miss Perronet, -- 
. To James Ireland, Esq. 
To Mr. Greenwood, - = 21 
To James Ireland, Esq. - 
To Miss Perronet, 7 7 sos 
To. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood, ? 
do. do. 
To Mrs Thornton, - 


do. eee 
To the Rt. Hon. Lady Mary Fitzgers 
To the Rey. 1 ese: 


CONTENTS: 

deuter. 
To Mr. William Perronet, --- 
To James Ireland; Esq. - se ee 
: de. > #* do.~ - ++ = 
» do. *— do. == = 
103. -Te Mr. Charles Greenwood, - = 
104. Toa Nobleman, -- = = - 

105. To the Rt. Hon. Lady Mary Fitzgerald, 

106. ‘To Miss Perronet, - 2 es eee 


107. To the Rt. Hon. Lady Mary Fitzgerald, 
108. To the Honourable Mrs. C ; 

109. To the Rt. Hon. Lady M. Fitzgerald, 

110. do. do. -- 
111. To the Rev. Mr. Charles Wesley, - 
112. To Mrs. Thornton, - = ee = 
113. To the Rt. Hon. Lady Mary Fitzgerald, 
114. To William Smyth, Esq. eye ose 
115. To the Society in Dublin, - = = = 
116. To Mrs. Dolier, eee ee ee 


117. To Mr. Henry Brooke, == = ey 
118. To Mrs. Greenwood, ct eee 
119. ‘To James Ireland, 20 Soi TT 
120.. To Mrs. Thornton eye He 4 cu 
221. To the Rt. Hon. Lady Mary Fitzgerald, 
_ 122. To Mr. Henry Brooke, ENE Coe A 
123. To Mr. Melville Horne, ihe he eee 
_ 124. To James Ireland, Esq. SS owe ae 
. PaO ales 


A ESTATION OF THE SON OF 
Six Letters on the eiritoal Manifestation of ° 
oe the Som of God. = - - - - - -,- - 
he * j hy N 
Fe ae a : ie 


GOD. 


- 267 


FRAGMENTS. 


On Seriousness, - - - = = |= = ay 
On Pleasure, - - - - = = = =: 
On Hypocrisy, - - = - = = =) 
On Lukewarmness, - - en's } 
Thou wilt keep him in wht cas tae aid | 
is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee, 3 
Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said unto eR Isi it © 
true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 
do not ye serve my Gods, nor worship the 1 
golden image, that I have set up, - - = = nish 
Being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, ‘ 
_ and his sweat was, as it were, great drops 
blood, falling down to the ground, - - - 34 
The kingdom of heaven suffereth vite and 
the violept taketh ‘it by force, - - -— 
Thou fool, this night shall thy — * requi 
of thee. toe ee ee ee 
a ae 
> THE TEST OF A NEW 


- The Test of a new Creature, or, heads of 


ation for adult Christians. 


HOBO: 


( 
% PASTORAL LETTERS. 


LETTER If. 


Bath, October 30, 1765. 
Yo those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, in and abouf 
Madeley: Peace be multiplied to you from God the 
Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, through the 
operations of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 


' Bry the help of divine providence, and the assistance 
of your prayers, I came safe here. I was, and am still, a 
good deal weighed down, under the sense of my own in- 
sufficiency to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to 
poor, dying souls. 

This place is the seat of Satan’s gaudy throne: the 
Lord hath, nevertheless, a few names here, who are not 
ash f him, and of whom he is not ashamed, both 
among the poor and among the rich. There are not 
many of the last, though blessed be God for any one: it 
is a great miracle if one camel passes through the eye of 

_ a needle, or, im other words, if one rich person enters into 


a the kingdom of heaven. “T thank God, none of you are 
rich in the things of this world. You are freed from a 
even from Dive’s portion in this life. May 


e happiness attending your state. It is a 


‘seed the Lord hath given me 
d I hope your prayers have 


¢ ad AAs Ninoy mci, Ai ch 
14 PASTORAL LETTERS. b 


not been lost upon me as.a minister; for, though 1 hay 
not been able to discharge my office as I would, the Le 
hath yet, in some measure, stood by me, and overrule 
my foolishness and helplessness. I am much suppor 
by the thought, that you bear me on your hearts, an 
when you come to the throne of grace to ask a blessir 
for me, in the name of ile. the Lord doth in no wise 
cast you out. 

In regard to the state of my soul, I find, blessed be 
God, that-as my day is, so is my strength to travel on, 
either through good or bad report. My absence = F 


answers two good ends to me :—lI feel, more my insw 
ciency, and the need of being daily ordained by 

preach his gospel; and I shall value the more my 

leges among you, please God I return safely to you. I 
had yesterday a most advantageous offer made meg of 
going, free cost, to visit my mother, brothers, and siste 
in the flesh, whom I have not seen for eighteen years 
but I find my relations in the spirit are nearer and de 
to me, than my relations in the flesh. I have, 
rejected the kind offer, that I may return among 
be comforted by the mutual faith both of you a 


ul 
% 


. DT hope, dear brethren, you improve mucl ader the 
ministry of that faithful servant of God, Mr. Brown, 
whom Providence blesses you with. Make haste to gather 


the honey of knowledge and grace as it drops 
lips ; and may I find the hive of your he 
on my return, that 1 may share with you 
store. In order to this, beseech the Lor 
bunger and thirst for Jesus’s flesh and 


and a good appetite does not thin! 
As you go to your spiritual meals 
the way, and to feast your souls.i 
good news from heaven, and 


r 


da 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 15 


‘ing friend whom you -have there: and when you return, 

“be sure to carry the unsearchable riches of Jesus’s dying 

a rising love home to your eipnehs-as im the vessel of a 

believing heart. 

\ Let your light be attended with the warmth of love. 

| Be not satisfied to know the way to heaven, but walk in 

‘it immediately, constantly, and joyfully. Be all truly in 

‘earnest: you may, indeed, impose upon your brethren, 

by a formal attendance on the means of grace, but you 

cannot deceive the seageher of hearts, let him always see 

your hearts struggling towards him; and if you fall 

through heaviness, sloth or unbelief, do not make a bad 

matter worse by continuing helpless in the ditch of sin and 

guilt. Up, and away to the fountain of Jesus’s blood. It 

will not only wash away the guilt of past sins, but strength- 

en you to tread all iniquity under your feet for the time to 

come. Never forget, that the soul of the diligent shall be 

le fat, and that the Lord will spue the lukewarm out 

of his mouth, unless he get that love which makes fer- 
vent in spirit, diligent in business, serving the Lord. 

You know the way to get this love is, ist. To consider 
the free mercy of God, and to believe in the pardoning 
love s, who died the just for the unjust, to bring us 
to God. 2d. To be frequently, if not constantly applying 

_ this faitli, with all the attention of your mind, and all the 
fervour of your heart—“ Lord I am lost, but Christ hath 
died.” 3d. To try actually to love, as you can, by setting 

- your affections on Christ, whom you see not; and for his 
sake, on P hes brethren whom you do see. 4th. To use 

much private prayer for yourselves and others; and to 
that communion with God and your absent 

in order to this, that you will not forsake 

elves together, as the manner of 

J meet as a Society, be neither 

spez Esteem yourselves 
mpany, and be glad toisit 


16 PASTORAL LETTERS. ; 


at the feet of the Jowest. If you are tempted against am 
one, yield not to the temptation, and pray much for th 
love which hopes all things, and puts the best construction 
even upon the worst of failings. I beg for Christ’s sak 
I may find no divisions nor offences among you on mj 
return. “If there be any consolation in Christ, if an} 
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if ar 
bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be li 
minded, having the same love, being of one accord, an 
of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or \ 
glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem 
better than themselves. hae 9 
I earnestly request the continuance of your nti 
me, both as a minister, and as your companion in tribula 
tion. Ask particularly, that the Lord would keep m 
from hurting his cause in these parts; and that v 
Providence shall bring me back among you, I may t 
more thoroughly furnished for every good work. Pardon 
me, if I do.not salute you all by name: my heart does it, 
if my pen does not. That the blessing of God in Jesus 
Christ, may crown all your hearts, and all your m 
is the earnest prayer of, My very dear Brethren, Ye 


}_____} 
LETTER th 


Oakhall, Septem 
To those who love or fear the Lord poi 
ley: Grace, peace, and love be multiplie 
our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. 


PRovipENCE, my dear breth 
denly from you, that I had not 
recommend myself to. your p 
Spirit of our God, w. 


PASTORAL LETTERS. ai7 


' ‘eation, has brought me to your remembrance, as the peor- 
( est and weakest of Christ’s ministers, and, consequently, 
as him whose hands stand most in need of being strength- 
ened and lifted up by your prayers. Pray on, then, for 
yourselves, for one another, and for him whose glory is to 
minister to you in holy things, and whose:sorrow it is not 
to do it, in a manner more suitable to the majesty of the 

_ gospel, and more profitable to your souls. 

My heart is with you: nevertheless, I bear patiently 
this bodily separation for three reasons. — First; the variety 
‘of more faithful and able ministers whom you have during 
my absence, is more likely to be serviceable to you, than 
‘my presence among you; and I would always prefer your 
profit to my satisfaction. Secondly; I hope Providence 

will give me those opportunities of conversing and praying 
‘with a greater variety of experienced christians, which wil! 
‘fend to my own improvement, and I trust, in the end, to 
yours. Thirdly, I flatter myself, that after some weeks 
“absence, my ministry will be recommended by the advan- 
» tage of novelty, which (the more the pity) goes farther 
with some, than the word itself. In the mean time, I shall! 
give you some advice, which, it may be, will prove hoth 
suitable and profitable to you. é 
ist. Endeavour to improve daily under the ministry 
which Providence blesses you with. Be careful to attend it 
with diligenee, faith and prayer. Would it not be a great 
shame, if, when ministers come thirty or forty miles to offer 
you peace and pardon, strength and comfort, in the name 
of God, any of you should slight the glorious message, or 
hear it as if it was nothing to you, and as if you heard it 
not? See, then, that you never come from a sermon, with- 
‘out being more deeply convinced of sin and righteousness. 
a Use more pre ee Leive you go" to chureh. Consi- 


ve you hetaiip so to obit and 
fat you may be filled. Hungry 


18 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


people never go fasting from a feast. Call to mind the» 
text I preached from, the last Sunday but one before’ 
left you, “ Wherefore laying aside all guile” é&c. Pet. 
ii. 12.) i 

3d. When you are under the word, beware of sitting 
judges, and not as criminals. Many judge of the manner, 
matter, voice, and person of the preacher. You, perliaps, 
judge all the congregation, when you should judge your-» 
selves, worthy of eternal death ; and yet, worthy of’ eter- 
nal life, through the worthiness of Him, who stood and 
was condemned at Pilate’s bar for you. The moment 
you have done crying to God, as guilty, or thanking Christ 
as reprieved criminals, you have reason to conclude, ” 
advice is levelled at you. 

4th. When you have used a mean of grace, and do) 

not find yourselves sensibly quickened, let it be a matter 

of deep humiliation to you. For want of repenting 
their unbelief and hardness of heart, some get into ahi 
of deadness, and indolence; so that they come to bejas” 
insensible, and as little ashamed of themselves fo: 
stones. P 

- 5th. Beware of the inconsistent behaviour of » who 
complain they are full of wanderings in the ev under» 
the word, when they have suffered their minds 
from Christ all the day long. O! get ae 


him, that you may walk in him, and with him. 

ever you do or say, especially in the things of, God, do or 
say. it, as if Christ was before, behind, and on every side 

of you. Indeed he is so, whether you consider it or not; 
for if, when he visibly appeared on earth, he called him- 
self the Son of Man, who is in heaven, how much more, 
then, is he present on earth now, that he makes his im- 
mediate appearance in heaven? Make your consciences _ 


then to maintain a sense of his. blessed ss ne 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 19 


than to be always at the fountain of love, beauty, and 
joy ;—at the spring of power, wisdom, goodness, and truth? 
Can there be a purer and more melting happiness, than to 
be with the best of fathers, the kindest of brothers, the 
most generous of benefactors, and the tenderest of hus- 
bands? Now Jesus is all this, and much more to the 
believing soul. O! believe, my friends, in Jesus now, 
through a continual now; and until you can thus believe, 
mourn over your unbelieving hearts; drag them to him, 
as you can; think of the efficacy of his blood, shed for 
the ungodly, and wait for the Spirit of faith from on high. 

6th. Some of you wonder, why you cannot believe ; 
why you cannot see Jesus with the.eye of your mind, and 
delight in him with all the affections of your heart. I 
apprehend the reason to be one “a oe or, perhaps all of 
them. 

First, you are not poor, lost, eae he)pless sinners 
in yourselves. You indulge spiritual and refined self 
righteousness, you are not yet dead to the law, and. quite 
slain by the commandment. Now the kingdom of heaven 
belongs to none but the poor in spirit. Jesus came to 
save none but the lost. What wonder, then, if Jesus is 
nothing to’you, and if you do not live in his kingdom of 
peace, righteousness, and joy in the-Holy Ghost ? 

Secondly. Perhaps you spend your time in curious 
reasonings, instead of casting yourselves, as forlorn sin- 
ners, at Christ’s feet ; leaving it to him to bless you, when, 
and in the manner and degree, he pleases. Know, that 
he is the wise and Sovereign God, and that it is your duty 
to lie before him as clay ; as fools; as sinful nothings. 
~ Thirdly. Perhaps some of you wilfully keep idols of 
one kind or other; you indulge some sin against light and - 
‘knowledge, and it is neither matter of humiliation, nor 
confession to you. - love of praise, of the world, of - 
ifi¢ations, when not Jamented, are 


; 4 implacable eatnll to: Christ as Judas’ and. Herod. 
i | 


20 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


How can you believe, seeing you seek the honour that 
cometh of men?” Hew then, your Agags in pieces befo 
the Lord; run from your Delilahs to Jesus; cut off the 
right hand, and pluck out the right eye that offends you. 
“Come out from among them, and be separate, saith the 
Lord, and I will receive you.” Nevertheless, when yor 
strive, take care not to make yourselves a righteousness ¢ 
your striving. Remember that meritorious, justifying 
righteousness, is finished and brought in, and that your 


works can no more add to it, than your sins can diminish ~ 


from it. Shout then, “ The Lord our Righteousness ;” 
and if you feel yourselves undone sinners, humbly, yet bold- 
ly say, “In the Lord I have righteousness and strength.” 

When I was in London I endeavoured to make the 
most of my time:. that is to say, to hear, receive and 
practice the word. Accordingly, I went to Mr. White- 
field’s tabernacle, and heard him give his society a3 
excellent exhortation upon love. He began by o 
* that when the apostle St. John was old, and past 
and preaching, he would not forsake the assem 
self with the brethren, as the manner of too m 
little or no pretence at all. On the contrary, I 
self carried to their meeting, and with his thread of 
voice, preached to them his final sermon, consisting of 
this one sentence, My little children love one another.” I 
wish, I pray, I earnestly beseech you to follow that evan- 
gelical, apostolical advice; and till God make you all 
little children, little in your own eyes, and simple as little 
ehildren, give me leave to say, my dear brethren, love one 
another; and, of course, judge cat not, and be 


not shy one of another ; but bear ye other’s burdens, 
and so fulfil the law of Christ. Yea, bear with one 
another’s infirmities, and do not easily cast off any 
"mo, not for sin, except it is obstinately persisted i in. 

My sheet is full, and so 
- you, and ardent longi 


ey ste 


y heart, of go 
you all. urn, 


eo 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 24 


Het me have the comfort of finding you all believing and 
loving. Farewell, my dear brethren —The blessing of 
God be with you all! This is the earnest desire of your 


unworthy minister, J.F. 
LETTER I. 
: Madeley, —~———, 1775. 


MRS. MARY CARTWRIGHT. 


My dear friend, 
‘As it may be long before you have an , opportunity to 


hear a sermon, I find myself drawn by friendship and 
pastoral care, to send you a few lines, to meditate upon to- 
morrow. 

_As I was longing for an opportunity to offer life, friends, 
and liberty to Him, who is worth a thousand such alls, I 
thought, I must wait for no other opportunity, and found 
another blessing, in using the present moment. [I did not 
forget to offer you among my friends, and I found it on 
my mind to pray and praise with you; and to beseech 
you to fulfil my joy, by giving me to see you all glorious 
within, and full of eager desire to be with our everlasting 
friend. O let us take a thousand times more notice of 
him, till the thought of him engrosses all other thoughts, 


the desire of him all other desires ! 


Nothing cam reconcile me to let my friends go, but the 
fullest evidence that they are going to Jesus. If you go 
before me, let me not want that comfort. Let me never 
see you, but full of an earnest desire to do and suffer the 
will of our God. I wanted to see heavenly joy and glory 
beaming from your eyes last night, and I feared I saw 


them not. Pardon, my fears, if they have no foundation. 


Charity thinks no evil, hopes all, and yet is jealous with a 
godly jealousy ; and the warmer the charity, the stronger 


% 


22 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


and keener the jealousy. A doubt passed through my 
mind, whether you had not caught our dullness, whether 
your soul is as near to God, as it was some weeks ago. 
QO! if the multiplied mercies of God towards us donot _ 
rouse us to the third heaven of gratitude, what will? 

My prayer, my ardent prayer to God, and I make it 
now afresh, with tears of desire, is, that you may live as 
one who does not depend on another breath.—Come, my 
dear friend, up with your heart, and spread the arms of 
your faith. Welcome Jesus. Believe till you are drawn 
above yourself and earth—till your flaming soul ‘mounts, * 
and loses itself in the Sun of righteousness. “F 
to be a burning, shining light, setting fire to all the thatel 
of the devil, and kindling every smoaking flax around you. 
Disappoint not the Saviour’s hope, and mine. JF exp 
to see you not only a risen Lazareth, and a spared 
kiah, but a Mary at Jesus’s feet, a Deborah in- 
of the Lord.—There is what St. Paul calls a being be 
ourselves, which becomes you so much the better, as you 
are restored to us against hope—and for how-long we 
know not. “a 

Fulfil my joy, I say, which must, droop till T 
joice over you living, dying, or dead, with 
ble and full of glory. Give yourself mueht 
thankful, solemn prayer, I was condemned for ot 
king more of the solemn opportunity I oe 
Thursday. O! if we are spared to 
pray until we wind our hearts into ar praise, a. 
then, let us praise till we are caught into ven. “Hold, ~ 
up our hands to-morrow, and if we meet on Monday, be 
it in the name of Christ, to pour the oil of joy ‘intoeach 
others hearts, by confessing him more heartily our God, ; 
our life, our present and never dying friend Peed ‘ 


in him every way. 


Yours a oT 4 re 


PASTORAL LETTERS. | 23 
¢. 
LETTER IV. ine 
Bristol, July 11th, 1776. 
# “MR. MICHAEL ONIONS. 


My dear Brother, 
‘Havine just seen, at the Wells, Mr. thesis who is — 
going back to the Dale, I gladly seize the opportunity of 
letting you know what the Lord does for my soul an 
body. . With respect to my better part, I feel a degree of 
righteousness; peace’ and joy, and wait for the establish- 
ment of his internal kingdom in the Holy Ghost; and the 
hopes, of my being rooted and grounded in the love that 
casts out every degree of slavish fear, grow more lively 
‘every day. I thank God I am not afraid of any evil ti- 
- dings, and my heart stands calm, believing in the Lord, 
and desiring him to do with me whatsoever he pleaseth. 
With respect to my body, I know not what to say, but 
the physician says, ‘ he hopes I shall do well ;? and so I 
hope and believe too, whether I recover my strength or 
not. Health and sickness, life and death, are best when 
the Lord sends them; and all things work together for 
"good te those that love God. 
1 am forbid preaching; but, blessed be God, I am not 
forbid by my heavenly physician, to pray, believe and 
_ love. “This is a sweet work which heals, delights, and 
strengthens. Let us do it till we recover our spiritual 
* strength; and then whether we shall be seen on earth or 
not will matter nothing. I hope you bear me on your 
heart as I do yeu on mine. My wish for you is that you 
may be inward possessors of an inward kingdom of grace : 
that you may so hunger and thirst after righteousness as to 
_ be filled; and that you may so call on your heavenly 
_ father in secret, that he may! reward you openly with 
abundance ee ees. it cre 


, 7 


' 
24 PASTORAL LETTERS: } 


honours you, because you honour him. O! be hearty in 
the cause of religion. I would have you either hot or 
cold; for it is a fearful thing to be in danger of fi 
into the hands of the living God, and sharing the fate of 
the lukewarm. Be humbly zealous for your own sali 
tion, and for God’s glory ; nor forget to care for the s: lva- 
tion of each other. The case of wicked Cain is very 
common, and the practice of many says, with that wretch, 
* Am I my brother’s keeper ?? O! pray God to keep you 
y his mighty power, through faith, to salvation. Keep 
yourselves in the love of God if you are there ; keep 
one another by example, reproof, exhortation, encourage- | 
ment, social prayer, and a faithful use of all the 
grace. Use yourselves to bow at Christ’s feet, as your . 
Prophet; go to him continually for the holy anointing of 
his Spirit, who will be ateacher always near, always with | . 
you and in you. If you have that inward instructe i 
will suffer no material loss, when your outward tea 
are removed. Make the most of dear Mr. Greaves 
you have him. While you have the light of 
believe in the light, that you may be the 
“light, fitted for the kingdom of eternal light, wh 
you to meet, with joy, your affectional : 
minister, 


F Retin! v. 


To all who fear and love cult 
' Grace and peace, power and love 
Christ, be multiplied to you, 
Lamb, through the word that 1 

through the og who maar _ pp 


d an 
al a4 _ = /- ’ 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 25 


has hindered. Twice I had fixed the day of my depar- 
ture from this place; and twice the night before that day, 
I was taken worse than usual, which, together with the 
unanimous forbiddings of my spiritual, temporal, and me- 
sdical friends here, made me put off my journey. The 
argument to which I have yielded is this, ‘ There is yet 
some little probability, that if you stay here you might 
recover strength to do a little ministerial work; but if 
you go now you will ruin all.’ However, God is my wit- 
‘ness, that if I have not ventured my life to come and 
see you, it was not from a desire to indulge myself, but 
to wait and see if the Lord would restore me a. little 


‘strength, and add a few years to my life, that I might 


employ both in your service; just as a horse is sometimes 
kept from his owner, and confined to the yard of a farrier, 
until he recovers the ability of doing his master some ser- 
vice. I only desire to know, do and suffer, the will of 
God concerning me ; and I assure you, my dear brethren, 
if I saw it to be his will, that I should give up the means 
of health I have here, I would not tarry another day, but 
take my chance, and come to my dear charge, were the 
parish situated ten times more north than it is. 

I do not however despair of praising God with you in 


the body; but let us not stay for this to praise him, 


Let us bless him now; and if any of you are under a 
‘cloud of unbelief, and see no matter of praise in being 
out of hell, in being redeemed by Christ, crowned with 
thousands of spiritual and temporal mercies, and called 
to take possession of a kingdom of glory; I beg you 
would praise him on my account, who raises me so many 
friends in time, who afflicts me with so gentle a hand, 
who keeps me from all impatience, and often fills me with 
consolation in my trouble; giving me a sweet hope, that 
all things work, and shall work together for good. 

Love one another. The love you shew one to another 
Hib ogreatly refresh my heart. Keep united to our comr 

c 


7 
a6 PASTORAL LETTERS. fhe 


mon head, Jesus. Pray for your infirm minister as he 
does for you; and let me hear of your growth in 
which will be health to the withering bones of your un- 
profitable servant, J. FP. 


» 


P. S. Medicine does not seem to relieve me; but I 
rejoice that when outward remedies fail, there is one, the 
blood, and word, and Spirit of Jesus, which never fails ;— 
which removes all spiritual maladies, and will surely give 
us eternal life. Let me recommend that remedy to you 
all: You all want, and blessed be God, I can say, Pro- 


batum est—tried. a 


LETTER VI. 
Newington, Dec. 28th, 1776. 


4 
TO THE PARISHIONERS OF MADELEY. P 


A 
My dear Parishioners, 

I worep to have spent the Christmas eter 
you, and to have ministered to you in holgsPingsi ges 
the weakness of my body confining me here, I 
submit to the divine dispensation, and ease the trouble of 
my absence, by being present with you in spirit, nd 
reflecting on the pleasure I have felt, in yea while 
singing with you, ‘ Unto us a child is born, unto us a son 
is given,’ &c. This truth is as true now as it was then, 
and as worthy to be thankfully received at Newington as 
at Madeley. Let us then receive it with all readiness, 
and it will unite us: we shall meet in Christ the centre of 
lasting union, the source of trie life, the spring of pure 
righteousness and joy ; and our hearts shall be full of the 
song of angels, ‘Glory be to God. ! Peace on 
earth! Good-will towards each other, and all reakinli ¥ 


ey 


PASTORAL LETTERS. QE 


In order to this, may the eye of your understanding be 
more and more opened, to see your need of a Redeemer ; 
and to behold the suitableness, freeness, and fulness of 
the redemption, which was wrought out by the Son of 
God, and which is applied by the Spirit through faith. 
The wish which glows in my soul is so ardent and power- 
ful, that it brings me down on my knees, while I write, 
and, in that supplicating posture, I entreat you all to con- 
sider and improve the day of your visitation, and prepare 
in good earnest, to meet, with joy, your God and your 
unworthy pastor in another world. Weak as I was when 
I left Madeley, I hear that several, who were then young, 
healthy, and strong, have got the start of me; and that 
some have been hurried into eternity, without being in- 
dulged with a moment’s warning. May the awful ac- 
cident strike a deeper consideration into all our souls. 
May the sound of their bodies, dashed to pieces at the 
bottom of a pit, rouse us to a speedy conversion, that we 
may never fall into the bottomless pit, and that iniquity 
and delays may not be our eternal ruin. Tottering as I 
stand on the brink of the grave, some of you, who seem 
far from it, may drop into it before me; for what has 
happened may happen still. 

Let us, then, all awake out of sleep; and let us all 
prepare for our approaching change, and give ourselves no 
rest, till we have got gospel ground to hope, that our great 
change will be a happy one. In order to this, I beseech 
you, by all the ministerial and providential calls, you 
have had for these seventeen years, harden not your 
hearts. Let the long suffering of God towards us, who 
survive the hundreds I have buried, lead us all to repen- 
tance. Dismiss your sins, and embrace Jesus Christ, 
who wept for you in the manger, bled for you in Gethse- 
mane, hanged for you on»the cross, and now pleads for 
you on his mediatorial throne. By all that is near and 
dear to you, as men-and as christians, meet me not on 


28 PASTORAL LETTERS. ? 
the great day, in your sins and in your blood, enemies 
to Christ by unbelief, and to God by wicked works 
Meet me in the garment of repentance, in the robe of 
Christ’s merits, and in the white linen, (the purity of heart 
and life) which is the holiness of the godly ;—that holi- 
ness, ‘without which no man shall see God.’ Let the 
time past suffice in which some of you have lived in sin. 
By repentance put off the old man, and his works; by 
faith put on the Lord Jesus and his righteousness. Let 
all wickedness be gone—for ever gone, with the old year; 
and with the new one begin a new life—a life of renewed 
devotion to God, and of increasing love to your neigh- 
bours. 

The sum of all I have preached to you, is contained in 
four propositions: First, heartily repent of your sins, 
original and actual. Secondly, believe the gospel of 
Christ in sincerity and truth. © Thirdly,*in the power 
which true faith gives (for all things commanded are pos- 
sible to him that believeth) run with humble faith the way 
of God’s commandments before God and men. Fourthly, 
by continuing to take up your cross, and to receive the 
pure milk of God’s word, grow in grace and i in the know- 
ledge of Jesus Christ. So shall you growin peace d joy 
all the days of your life; and when rolling years shall be lost 
in eternity, you will for ever grow in bliss and heavenly 
glory. O what bliss! what glory! The Lord shall be our 
sun and our crown; and we shall be jewels in each other’s 
crown, I in yours, and you in mine. For ever we shall 
be with the Lord and with one another. We shall all live 
in God’s heavenly church, the heaven of heavens. All 
our days will be a sabbath, and our sabbath eternity. 
No bar of business nor sickness, no distance of time nor 
place, no gulph of death and the grave, shall part us more. 
We shall meet in the bosom of Abraham, who met Christ 
in the bosom of divine love. O whata meeting! And 
shall some of us meet there this very year, which we are 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 29 


just entering upon? What a year! On that blessed year, 
if we are of the number of those who die in the Lord, our 
souls shall burst the womb of this corruptible flesh; we 
shall be born into the other world ; we shall behold the 
sun of righteousness without a cloud, and for ever bask 
in the beams of his glory. Is not this prospect glorious 
enough to make us bid defiance to sin and the grave ; and ~ 
to join in the cry of the Spirit and the Bride, ‘ Come, 
Lord Jesus, come quickly,’ though it should be in the 
black chariot of death? 

Should God bid me to stay on earth a little longer, to 
serve you in the gospel of his Son; should he renew my 
strength, (for no work is impossible with him) to do 
among you the work of a pastor, I hope I shall by God’s 
grace, prove a more humble, zealous, and diligent minister 
than I have hitherto been. Some of you have supposed 
that I made more ado about eternity and your precious 
souls than they were worth; but how great was your mis- 
iake! Alas! it is my grief and shame that I have not 
been, both in public and private, a thousand times more 
earnest and importunate with you about your spiritual 
concerns. Pardon me, my dear friends, pardon me my 
ignorances “and negligences in this respect. And as I 
most humbly ask your forgiveness, so I most heartily for- 
give any of you, who may, at any time, have made no 
account of my little labours. I only intreat such now to 
evidence a better mind, by paying a double attention to 
the loud warnings of Providence, and to the pathetic dis- 
courses of the faithful minister, who now supplies my place. 
And may God, for Christ’s sake, forgive us all, as we for- 
give one another ! 

The more nearly I consider death and the grave, judg- 
ment and eternity, the more, blessed be God, I feel that I 
have preached to you the truth, and that the truth is solid 
as the Rock of Ages. Glory be to his divine grace, I 
can say, in some degree, “ here is firm footing.” Follow 

re Re 


~ 


_ 


30 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


me, and the sorrows of death, instead of encompassing 
you around, will keep at an awful distance, and with 
David, we shall follow our great Shepherd, even through 
the dreary valley, without fearing or feeling any evil. 

Although I hope to see much more of the goodness ¢ 
the Lord in the land of the living, than I do see; y 
blessed be the divine mercy, I see enough to keep my 
mind at all times unruffled; and to make me willing, 
calmly to resign my soul into the hands of my faithful 
Creator, my loving Redeemer, and my sanctifying Com- 
forter, this moment, or the next, if he calls for it. I desire 
your public thanks, for all the favours he sheweth me con- 
tinually, with respect to both my soul and body. Help 
me to be thankful; for it is a pleasant thing to be thank- 
ful. May our thankfulness crown the new year, as God’s 
patience and goodness have crowned all our life. Permit 
me to bespeak an interest in your prayers also. Ask that 
my faith may be willing to receive all that God’s grace is 
willing to bestow. Ask that-1 may meekly suffer, and 
zealously do all the will ef God, m my present circum- 
stances; and that, living or dying, I may say, with the 
witness of God’s Spirit, “ For me to live is Christ, and to 
die gain.” .* 

If God calls me soon from earth, I beg he may, in his 
good providence, appoint a more faithful shepherd over 


you. Youneed not fear that he will not: you see, that for _ 
these many months, you have not only had no famine of — 


the word, but the richest plenty ; and what’ has done 
for months, he can do for years; yea, for all the years of 
your life. Only pray; “ask, and you shall receive.” 
Meet at the throne of grace, and you shall meet at the 
throne of glory your affectionate, obliged, and unworthy 
minister, os. ¥. 

aaa 

_° 


. 


? 


a 
ay 


PASTORAL LETTERS: 3f- 


LETTER VII. 
Newington, January 13, 1777. 
MR. WILLIAM WASE. 


_ My dear Brother, ; 

I am two kind letters in your debt. I would have 
answered them before, but venturing to ride out in the 
frost, the air was too sharp for my weak lungs, and 
opened my wound, which has thrown me back again. 

I am glad to see by your last, that you take up your 
shield again. You will never prove a gainer by vilely 
casting it away. Voluntary humility, despondency, or 
even a defeat, should not make you give up your confi- 
dence ; but rather make you hug your shield, and em- 
brace your Saviour with redoubled ardour and courage. 
“To whom should you go, but to him, who hath the 
words of éverlasting life ?” and if you give up your faith, 
do you not block up the way, by which you should return 
to him? Let it be the last time you compliment the enemy 

_ with what you should fight for to the last drop of your 
blood. 

You must not be above being employed in a little way. 
The great Mr. Grimshaw was not above walking some 
miles, to preach to seven or eight people; and what 
are we compared to him? Our neighbourhood will want 

you mere when Mr. Greaves and I are gone. In the 
jie time, grow in meek, humble, patient, resigned love ; 
‘and your temper, person, and labours will be more ac- 
ceptable to all around you. I have many things to say 
to you about your soul; but you will find the substance 
of them in two sermons of Mr. Wesley’s, the one entitled, 
“The Devices of Satan ;” and the other, “ The Repen-’ 
. tance of Believers.” I wish you would read one of them 
every day, till you have reaped all the benefit that can be 
got from them: nor eat your morsel alone, but let all be 
benefited by the contents. Lam, &c. — eee 


34 


82 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


LETTER VIII. 
Newington, February 18, 1777. 
MR. WILLIAM WASE.- 
My dear Brother, 

My dear friend Ireland brought me last week Sir. . 
Elliot, who is esteemed the greatest physician in Lon 
in consumptive cases. He gave hopes of my recovery 
upon using proper diet and means. I was bled yesterday 
for the third time; and my old doctor thinks, by gentle 
evacuations and spring herbs, to mend my juices. Be 
that as it may, I calmly leave all to God; and use the 
means without trusting in them. I am perfectly taken 
care of by my kind friends, whom I recommend to your 
prayers, as well as myself. 

With respect to my soul, I calmly wait, in unshaken 
resolution, for the full salvation of my God: ready te 
trust him, and to venture on his faithful love, and on 
the sure mercies of David, either at midnight, noon- 
day, or cock-crowing: for my times are in his hand, 
and his time is best, and is my time. Death has lost 
his sting; and I thank God, I know not what hurry of 
spirit is, or unbelieving fears, under my most terrifying 
symptoms: Glory be to God, in Chiist, for this unspeak- 
able mercy! Help me to praise him for it. 

You talk of my ‘last trials.’ I can hardly guess what 
you mean, unless Mr. 
of holy shame before God, and of humble love t 
opponents, for great trials; but they only indicated suc ' 
a trial, as I pray God to make me live and die in ; _Imean 
a deep sense of my unworthiness, and of what i have so 
often prayed for, in these words— 


salad’ 
‘T would be by myself abhorr'd, 


All glory be to Christ my Lord.’ _ 6 


I thank you, however, for the comfort you administer to 
me, upon, I suppose, Mr. ——’s mistake. Pe. 


ot as 


should have mistaken tears | 


1 


\ 


a. 


= 


PASTORAL LETTERS. , Oe 


With respect to our intended room, I beg Mr. Palmer, 
Mr. Lloyd, and yourself, to consult about it, and that Mr. 
Palmer would contract for the whole. For my own part, 
I shall contribute 100. ineluding 107. I have had for it 
from Mr. Ireland,~And 02. from Mr. Thoriiton. “Give 
my kindest love Yo all friends and neighbours. I would 
mention all their dear names, butgm strictly forbidden a 
longer epistle. Farewell in Jesus. Yours, S28: 
. 4 

P. S. If the room cannot be completed for what I have 
mentioned, and 20/. more be wanting, ask Mr. Lloyd how 
much the royalty might come to, and tell him I would 
appropriate it%o the building. 


LETTER IX. r 
Bath, July 8th, 1777. 
MR. MICHAEL ONIONS. 


My Dear Brother, 
_ 1 uearrizy thank you for your kind letter; and by 
you, I desire to give my best thanks to the dear compan- 


ions in tribulation whom you meet, and who so kindly 


remember so worthless and unprofitable a minister as me. 
May the God of all grace, our common Father, and our 


all, bless you all, and all our brethren, with all blessings 


spiritual; and with such temporal favours, as will best 
serve the end of your growth in grace. 


My desire is, if I should be spared to minister to you 


again, to do it with more humility, zeal, diligence, and 


_ Jove; and to‘make more of you all than I have done.— 


But as matters are, you must take the will for the deed. 


_ Let us all praise God for what is past, and trust him for 


what is to come. The Lord enable you to cleave to- 


gether to Christ, and in him, to abide in one mind, striving 


together for the hope of the gospel, the fulness of the spirit, 


‘ 


.' a ee ai a's iat Buy 
84 PASTORAL LETTERS. ¢ ey" ‘£ 
and that kingdom of righteousness, peace, and | joy in the 
Holy Ghost, of which we have so often disco 
ther, but into which we have not pressed with suffici 
dour and, viglence. God giv he humble, violent ith, 
" which inhéhits the promige 6f ofa that we 
umph in Christ and adorn his gospel in life and de 
I hope to sce yougbefore the summer is ended, if it 
please God to sparame and give me strength for ae * 
ney. I am in some®xespect$~better than when I | 
here, and was enabled to bury a corpse last 5 §.to* “| 
oblige the minister of the parish 5 but, whether it was the ' 
little exertion of voice, or something else, bad symptoms — ‘ 


have returned since. Be that as it may, all oo for 


he that does all things well, rules and over-rules all. I. 
have stood the heats we have had these two days, better 
than I expected. I desire you will help_me to bless the : 
Author of all good, for this, and every other blessing of 
this life ; but above all for the lively hopes of the next, a 

for Christ our common hope, peace, joy, wisde 
ousness, salvation, and all. In him I meet, love, 
brace you. God bless all, and crown you with 
kindness and tender mercy all the day long) # 


stand. Don’t let me want the reviving cord wing, koe 


that you stand together firm in the fait 
ty, and rejoicing in the loving hope of tl 
Look much at Jesus. Bless God maineh wae om ai 
only begotten Son. Be much in private pray 

not the assembling yourselves togethe ‘ . 
as well as in public. Walk in the sightof leatl 
nity ; and ever pray for. your affectionate, 


minister, 
A eae ui 
b DANS ees ie 
Ba hal a 
‘ ii J - a 4 
a 
; ale 


as a 
hia ~~ 
PASTORAL LETTERS. $3 


‘ LETTER X. 
Newington, January 13th, 1777 
j TO THE PARISHIONERS OF MADELEY. 
_ My Dear Companions in Tribulation, 
Aut the children of God I love: my delight is in them 
that excel in strength, and my tenderest compassions move 
_ towards those that exceed in weakness, but of all the chil- 
dren of God, none have so great a right to my peculiar 
loye as you. Your stated or occasional attendance on my 
poor ministry, and the countless thousands of steps you 
have taken to hear the word of our common Lord from my 
despised pulpit, as well as the bonds of neighbourhood, 
and the many happy hours I have spent before the throne 
of grace with you, endear you peculiarly to me. 
With tears of grateful joy, I recollect the awful rhoments, 
when we have, in the strength of our dear Redeemer, 
bound ourselves to stand to our baptismal vow: to re- 
 nounce all sin, to believe all the articles of the christian 
_ faith, and keep God’s commandments to the end of our 
life: especially the new commandment, which enjoins us 
to love one another, as Christ has loved us. O! my dear 
brethren, let this repeated vow, so reasonable, so just, and 
so comfortable, appear to us worthy of our greatest regard. 
Fc or my own part, asking pardon of God, and you all, for 
pyrene exulted more in the privilege of keeping that 
* Vow every: day better, and of loving you every hour more 
rly, I am not at all discouraged: but determine with 
courage and delight to love my neighbour as myself; 
to love our Covenant God, Father, Son, and Holy 
t, with all my mind, heart, and strength ; with all the 
of my understanding, will, and affections. This 
on is bold, but it is evangelical; being equally 
on the precept and promise of our Lord Jesus 
t ke cleansing blood’ can atone for all our past 


36 PASTORAL LETTERS. : 


unfaithfulness, and whose almighty spirit can enable us .. 
to perform al] gospel obedience for the time to come. 

I find much comfort, in my weak state of health, from © 
my relation to my Covenant God; and by my relation to 
him as my Covenant God, I mean, ist. My clear, cit 
knowledge of the Father as my Creator and oe 
so loved the world, you, and me, as to give his only be 
gotten Son, that we should not perish, but have everlasting © 
life. O! my dear friends, what sweet exclamations, what 
endearing calling of Abba, Father, will ascend Pour 
grateful hearts—if we say, with St. Paul ‘He that spared 5 
not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,” how 
freely will he give us all things with that capital gift? © 

2d. I mean by my covenant relation, my relation to the 
adorable person, who, with the strength of his g d, 

S we 
and the strength of his pure manhood, took away my sin, 
and reconciled our fallen race to the divine nature, making 


us capable of recovering the divine union from which 
Adam fell. O how does my soul exult in that d Me- 
diator! How do I hide my poor soul under the low of 
his wings! There let me meet you all. to that 


true mercy-seat by the same danger, dra y the same 
preserving and redeeming love; invited by the same gos- 


pel promises, and encouraged by ea 

aud by the example of that cloud of pone | 
passed into the kingdom of God by that precious door, let 
us by Christ return to God; let us in Christ find our re- 
conciled God; and may that dear commandmen: 
Abide in me, prove every day more prec 
If we abide in him by believing that he is ode v 


truth and our life; by apprehending him as our 
or or wisdom, our Priest or men our Kii 


stand what is meant by these seriptu 
pleased—Accepted in the beloved- 


oD 
5 " = z 
it i Sa Se 


* 
a 


—_——" 
‘PASTORAL LETTERS. 3h 


‘nation to:them that are in Christ Jesus—God was in Christ 
reconciling the world unto himself, &c.’ O the comfort of 
thus cleaving to Christ by faith; of thus finding that Christ 
is our all! In that ceritre of life let us all meet, and death 
. itself will not separate us; for Christ, our life, is the resur- 
~ rection ; and Christ, our common resurrection, will bring 
us back from the grave, to worship him altogether, where 
absence and sickness shall interrupt and separate us no 
- more. 

I sometimes feel a desire of being buried where you 
are buried, and having my bones lie in a common earthen 
bed with yours; but I soon resign that wish, and, leaving 
that particular to Providence, I exult in thinking, that 
whatever distance there may be between our graves, we 
can now bury our sins, cares, doubts and fears, in the one 
grave of our divine Saviour; and that we rejoice each of 

_, §s in our measure, that ‘neither life nor death, neither 

things present nor things to come, shall ever be able, 
(while we hang on the crucified, as he hung on the cross) 

_ to separate us’ from Christ our head, nor from the love of 
each other, his members. 

Love then one another, my dear brethren, I entreat 
you: by the pledges of redeeming love, which I have so 
, often given you, while I said in his name, “The body of 

Christ which was given for thee,”—“ The blood of Christ, 
Pati, was shed for thee,” to reconcile thee to God, and 
» to cement thee to the brethren; by these pledges of divine 

love, I entreat you, love one another. If I, your poor 
unworthy shepherd, am smitten, be not scattered; but 
rather be more closely gathered unto Christ, and keep 
near each other in faith and love, till you all receive our 
second Comforter and) Advocate in the glory of his fulness. 

9 You: know I mean the Holy Ghost, the third person in 

our Covenant God : He is with you, but if yen plead the 
ise of the Father, which, says Christ, ‘ you have 
heard of me, he will be in you.” He will fill your souls 


; a 


Ye Dasa watt ue 2, 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 


with his light, love, and glory, according tothat verse, 


which we have so often sung together, — Ce im 
ue 
“ Refining fire go through my heart, 4 4 
Illuminate my soul ; i 
Scatter thy light through every part, ; i, a 
And sanctify the whole.” : nh ‘ 


This indwelling of the comforter perfects the myguat of 
sanctification in the believer’s soul. This is the highest 
blessing of the christian covenant on earth. Rejoi ing in- 
God our Creator, in God our Redeemer, let us Took fo ? 
the full comfort of God our Sanctifier: so shall we live 
and die in the faith, going on from faith to faith, from 
strength to strength, from comfort to comfort, till € 
is all in all to us all. 
My paper fails, but not my love: it embraces ‘you all 
in the bowels of Jesus Christ ; to whose love I earnestly 
recommend you, earnestly desiring you would recommend 
to his faithful mercy, your affectionate friend. and brother, 


your unworthy pastor and fellow-helper in the faith. 


d...F 
P. S. I earnestly recommend to you  s brother 
Greaves. Shew him all the love you have shewn'to me, 
and, if possible, shew him more, hire rf so much more» 
deserving. aC “un Ps 


LETTER Xt. ¥ 
Bristol, November, 1777. ‘ 


MR. THOMAS YORK AND DANIEL L RDM. 
My dear Friends, ‘ ° le 
I waver received Mr. York’s kind letter. amen © 
couraged, by the spirit of love and which it. — 
breathes, as well as by your former oft helping me 
off with my burdens, to beg you would settle 


poral affairs forme, Rcd 
es Se ies, : i 


— 
PASTORAL LETTERS. 39 


‘The debt of gratitude I owe to a dying sister, who 
once took a very long journey to see me, when I was ill 
in Germany, and whom I just stopped from coming, last 
winter to Newington to nurse me; the unanimous advice 
of the physicians, whom I have consulted, and the oppor- 
tunity of travelling with serious friends, have, at last, deter- 
mined me to remove to a warmer climate. As it is doubtful, 

ry doubtful, whether I shall be able to stand the journey 5 
and if I do, whether I shall be able to come back to En- 
gland: and, if I come back, whether I shall be able to 
serve my church, it is right to make what provision I can, 
to have it properly served while I live, and to secure some 
Spiritual assistance to‘my serious parishioners, when I shall 
be no more. I have attempted to build a house in Made- 
ley Wood, about the centre of the parish, where I should 
be glad the children might be taught to read and write in 
the day, and the grown up people might hear the:word of 
God in the evening, when they can get an evangelist to 
preach it to them; and where the serious people might 


* assemble for social worship when they have no teacher. 


az 


ee 


_ This has involved me in some difficulty about dis- 
charging the expense of that building, and paying for the 
ground it stands upon; especially as my ill health has put 
‘me on the additional expense of an assistant. If I had 
strength, I would serve my church alone, board as cheap 
as I could, and save what I could from the produce of the 
living to clear the debt, and leave that little token of my 
love, free from encumbrances, to my parishioners. But as 
Providence orders things otherwise, I have another object, 
which is to'secure a faithful minister to serve the church 
while I live. Providence has sent me dear Mr. Greaves, 
who loves the people, and is loved by them. I should be 
»giad to make him comfortable ; and as all the care of the 
flock, by my illness, devolves upon him, I would not hesi- 


“ate for a moment to let him have all the profit of the living, 


# 


Ww 


if i not for the debt contracted about the room. My 


40 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


difficulty lies, then, between what I owe te my fellow-la-- 
bourer, and what I owe to my parishioners, whom I sho 
be sorry to have burdened with a debt contracted fo: } 
room. bs 

My agreement with Mr. Greaves was, to allow hi 
guineas a year, out of which I was to deduet 12 for his 
board; but as I cannot board him while I go abroad; E 
design to allow him, during my absence, 502. a year, 
gether with the use of my house, furniture, garden, 
my horse, if he chuses to keep one, reserving the use 
room, and stall in the stable, to entertain the } sreach 
who help us-in their round; not doubting but 
rious people will gladly find them‘and their Kor: sp 
per necessaries. But I know so little what my imeor 
may come to, that I am not sure whether it will yield Mr. - 
Greaves 50/. after paying all the expenses of the living. b 
Now I beg, that you will consult together, and see, whether 4 
the vicars income, i.’e. tithes, &c. &&c. will’ discharge all’ 
the expenses of the living; and leave a residue sufficient 


to pay a stipend’ of 507. I aceept the roy: hich I.” 
have appropriated to the expenses of the room. [If it be, 
well; if there be any surplus, let it be ‘the room ; 


if there be any thing short, then Mr, Greaves may have: 
the whole, and take his chance in that respect, asit will © 
be only taking the vicar’s chances for I doubt, ifsome- 
times, after necessary charges i ag | the vicars have _ 
had a clear 50/. 4 4 
I beg you will let me know how the balance of my ac © 
count stands, that, some way or other I may order it to be 
paid immediately ; for if the balance is against me, I'could. 
not leave England comfortably without vin aera. a 
payment. A letter will settle this busin e 
twenty friends were at the trouble of taking 
and talking is far worse for me than reading or a 
I do not say this to put a slight upon my dear “t 


should rejoice to see them, if it was to answer ‘other, - 
a -.. ie a pe? 


* 


‘i % ” 
@ +. 


PASTORAL LETTERS 41 


end, than that of putting on a plaister, to tear it off as 
soon as it sticks. 

Ten thousand pardons of my dear friends, for troubling 
them with this scrawl about worldly matters. May God 
help us all, so to settle our eternal concerns, that when 
we shall be called to go-to our long home and _ heavenly 
country we may be ready, and have our acquittance along 
with us. I am quite tired with writing, nevertheless, I 
cannot lay by my pen, without desiring my best christian 
love to all my dear companions in tribulation, and neigh- 
bours in Shropshire; especially to Mrs. York, Miss Simp- 
son, Mrs. Harper, Mr. Scott when Mr. York sees him, 
Winny Edmunds, and all inquiring friends. | Thank 
Molly for her good management, and tell her, I recom- 
mend her to our common heavenly Master; and that if 
she wants to go to London, or come to Bristol, I shall 
give her such a character as will help her to some good 
place, by the directions of a kind Providence. I heartily’ 
* thank Daniel, both as church-warden and as receiver and 

house-steward, and I beg Mr. York again to pay him 

a proper salary. I am, in the best bonds, your affection- * 

ate, neighbour, friend, and minister, J. F. 


LETTER XII. 
Bristol, November, 1777- 
MR. JEHU. : 


My dear Brother, 

I rsanx you,for all your care andlove. Beware of an 
ensnaring world. You_may keép the few things I lent 
you, as long as you stay at Madeley; when. you removs, 
please to: give them or the amount, to some of our poor 

be, ren. Farewell in Jesus... Life and death are both 
@ blessing. I rejoice in the will of God every 
way; and set to my seal, that he is good, faithful and 

bd 2 


a 


42 PASTORAL LETTERS: 
gracious to the chief of sinners and least of: all believers; . : 
even to your affectionate friend,. (i REM oo. 5 
, aergti ¢ > 
AW 
LETTER XE a 
ane > : =, 
Bristol, November = Ks 
MR..WILLIAM WASE. | 


My dear Brother, 

Parpon the trouble I have given you in my temy 
concerns ;- it is more for the poor and the Lord the 
me. O! my dear friend, let. us. go through the t 
temporal, so as. not to lose the things eternal. 
honour God’s truth, by believing his word, Chirist’s j 
by hoping firmly in divine mercy, and all the divinepe 
fections, by. loving God with. all our hearts, and one 
another as Christ loved us. My kind love to all. the 
brethren on both:sides the water: te" 

Go from’ me to.Mrs. Cound—tell fier, I charge her, | in 
the name of God, to give up the world, to set ‘ith all 
speed for heaven, and to join the few that fear ‘about’ 
her. H she refuses, call again; call weekly, if not’ daily,. 
and warn her from me till she is ripe for -. Tell the: 
brethren at. Broseley, that I did my. body an injury the 
last time I preached to them on the green; but Ido not 
repine at it, if they took the warning, and have ceased to: 
Be neither hot nor cold, and begin to be warm-in zealj. 
love, prayer, and every grace.—Give my love to George- 
Crannage; tell: him to make haste to oe we to» 
doze away his last days. ~~ fy "aie nie 

The physician has not yet'given me‘ups but, Pbless: 
God,.I do not wait for his farewell, to give f up to: 
my God and Saviour: I write by steal ny friends: _ 
Here would Kave me forbear doing itjand-eve 
ber ff will’ never part: with my. privilege’ of wi 
sHouting;. “Thanks be to.God, who givethi‘us 


PASTORAL LETTERS: 43° 


over sin, death and the grave, through Jesus Christ! To. 
him be glory for ever and ever—Amen.’ 

_ Tell Mr. York, I embrace him:in spirit, and shall if it 
please God; find an opportunity to fulfil his kind request 
by Miss Simpson, whom, together with my dear friend: 
and good nurse, Mrs. Harper, | salute in the Lord. God 
bless you and yours. I am yours in the love of Jesus, 
the best of bonds.. SR 


. = 
ss LETTER XIv¥. 
iY Bristol, November 26th, Lee wee 
To the Brethren who hear the word of God, in the Parish: 
Church-at Madeley. 
My dear Brethren, 
ET ruanx you for the declaratiom of your affectionate 
remembrance, which you have sent’ me by John Owen, 


© the messenger of your brotherly love. As a variety of 


-réasons, with which I shall not trouble you, prevent: my- 


coming to take my leave of you in person, permit me to: 
do it by letter. The hopes:of. recovering a little strength: 
te come and serve you again in the gospel, make me to: 
take the advice of the physicians, who say, that removing™ 
to a drier. air and’ warmer climate,. might be of great 
service»to' my health. I kiss-the rod which smites me.- 
I-adore the proyidenee which lays me aside ; and beg 


that by this long correction of- my heavenly Father,. F 


may be so pruned, as: to bring forth more-fruit, if I amr 
spared. 

T am more-and ‘more epetiandd ‘that I have not declar=- 
ed unto you cunningly: devised fables, and that the gospel,- 


. Eliave had the honour-of:preaching, though feebly, among:: 


» you, is the powerof God to salvation, to every. one who» 
~ Believes: it: with the heart’ God: grant-we may: all.be of 
that: happy: number. Want: of. time: does* not’ permit: me 


44 PASTORAL LETTERS: 


to give you more directions ; but if you follow those which . 
fill the rest of this page, they may supply the want of a _ 
thousand. Have every day lower thoughts of yourselves, 
higher thoughts of Christ, kinder thoughts of your brethren, 

and more hopeful thoughts of all around you. Love to 
assemble in the great congregation, and with your com- 
panions in tribulation ; but, above all, love to pray to your 
father in secret: to consider your Saviour, who Says, ~ 


‘Look unto me, and be saved ;? and to listen to your | 
Sanctifier and Comforter, who whispers, that ‘he stands 
at the door, and knocks to enter into your inm Is, 
and to set up his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and © 


joy, with divine power, in your willing breasts? Wait all ~ 
the day long for his glorious appearing within you 5 
when you are together, by suitable prayers, proper hymns, 
and enlivening exhortations, keep up your earnest expec- 
tation of his pardoning and sanetifying love. Let not a 
drop satisfy you; desire an ocean, at least a fountain, 
springing up to your comfort in your own souls, and flow- © 
ing towards all around you, in streams of love and delight- 
ful instructions, to the consolation of those with whom 
you converse; especially your brethren, and those of 
your own households. De not eat your morsel by youl ; 
selves, like selfish, niggardly people; but whether you 
eat the meat that perisheth, or that which endureth unto 
everlasting life, be ready to share it with all. Cast your 
bread upon the waters, in a temporal and spiritual sense, * 
and it will not be lost. God will bless your seed sown, » 
and it will abundantly’ increase. » Letyevery one, with 
whom you converse, be the better for yeur conversation. 
’ Be burning and shining lights wherever you ‘Set the 
fire of divine love to. the hellish stubble ofsin. iant 
for the truth. Be champions for love... Be Sons of thun- 
der against sin; and sons of consolation towards humbled , 
‘simers. Be faithfuloto your God, your king and “your ~ “7 
masters.—Let not the good ways of God’be Wlasphemed, j 
: . * Pt ’ 
ye ve 


PASTORAL LETTERS, 45 


through any of you. Let your heavenly mindedness and 
your brotherly kindness be known to all men; so that 
all who see you, may wonder, and say, ‘ See how these 
people love one another.’ 

You have need of patience: as well as of faith and pow- 
er. You must learn to suffer, as well as to do, the will of 
God. Do not, then, think it strange to pass through the 
fiery trials; they are excellent for the proving, purifying, 
and strengthening of your faith—dOnly let your faith be 
firm in a tempest. Let your hope in Christ be as a sure’ 
anchor cast within the veil; and your patient love will 
soon outride the storm, and make you find, there is 2 
peace in Christ and the Holy Ghost, which no man can’ 
give or take away. May that peace be abundantly given 
to you, from our common father, our common Redeemer, 
and our common Sanctifier, our Covenant God; the gra- 
cious God of christians,. whom we have so often vouched: 
to be our God and our all, when we have been assembled 
together in his name. He is the same merciful and faithful 
God, ‘ yesterday, to-day and fer ever.’ Believe in his 
three-fold name. Rejoice in every degree of his great sal- 
vation. Triumph in hope of the glory which shall be re- 
vealed. Do not forget to be thankful for a cup of water ; 
much less for being out of hell, for the means of grace, the 
forgiveness of sins, the blood of Jesus, the communion of 
Saints on earth, and the future glorification of ‘saints in 

Heaven. Strongly, heartily believe every gospel truth, 
especially the latter part of the apostle’s creed. Believe 
it, I say, till your faith becomes to you the substance of 
the eternal life you hope for ; and then, come life, come 
death, either or both will be welcome to you, as, through 
grace, I find they are to me. 

T leave this. blessed’ island for awhile; but, I trust, I 

. shall never leave the kingdom of God, the mount Sion, the 
new Jerusalem. the shadow of Christ’s cross, the clefts of 

the rock. smitten and pierced for us. There F entreat you 


i | 
46 PASTORAL LETTERS. 
to meet me. There I meet you in spirit. From thence, 
I trust, I shall joyfully leap into the ocean of eternity, to 
go and join those ministering spirits, who wait on the heirs 
of salvation: And if I am no more permitted to ~ . j 
ht, 


‘ 
3 
7 

Lf 


to you in the land of the living, I rejoice at the 
that I shall, perhaps, be allowed to accompany the angels, 
who, if you continue in the faith, will be commissioned to 
carry your souls into Abraham’s bosom. If our bodies 
do not moulder away in the same grave, our spirits shall be 4 
sweetly lost in the same sea of divine and brotherly love. 
I hope to see you again in the flesh; but my s and 
firmest hope is, to meet you where there edie a 
seas, no interposing mountains, no sickness, no no 
fear of loving too much, no shame for loving too little, no 
apprehension of bursting new vessels in our lungs, by in- 
dulging the joy of seeing, or the sorrow of leaving our 
brethren. iw, 
In the mean time, I earnestly recommend you to’ he 
' pastoral care of the Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, 
and to the brotherly care’of one another, as well as to the 
ministerial care of my substitute. The authority of love, 
which you allowed me to exert among you for edificationy 
I return to you, and divide among you; humbly request- 
ing you, that you would mutually use it, ‘warning the 
unruly, supporting the weak, and comforting all. Should 
I be spared to come back, let me have the joy of finding - 
you all of one heart and one soul; continuing steadfast _ 
in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship one with another, 
and in communion with our sin-pardoning and sin-abhor- 
ring God. This you may do, through grace, by strongly 
believing in the atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit of 
Christ, our common head and our common'life; in whom 
,my soul embraces you, and in whose gracious hands I 
leave both you and myself.. Bear me on your hearts 
before him in praying love; and be persuaded, that you _ 
are thus borne by, My dear Brethren} Yours &¢. J.P. - 
was . 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 47 


er LETTER XV. 
Dover, December 2d, 1777. 
TO THE SOCIETY AT MADELEY. 
My Dear Brethren, 
By the help of divine providence, and of your prayers, 
I haye got safe to Dover; and I find that the journey 
has, so far, been of service to me. I thought to have 
been in France by this time; but the wind being high, 
though favourable, the mariners were afraid to leave the 
safe harbour, lest they should be driven on the French 
cliffs too fiercely. . This delay gives me an opportunity of 
“writing a line, to tell you, that I shall bear you on my 
sea and land ; ‘that the earth is the Lord’s, with 
all the fulness thereof ;’ that Jesus lives to pray for us ; 
and that I still recommend myself to your prayers, hoping 
to, hear of your order, steadfastness, and growth of faith 
towards Christ, and in love towards each other, which 
will greatly revive your affectionate friend and brother. 


. J. F. 
ae 
a 7 LETTER XVI. 
Nyon, 1778. 
+ 
i. TO THE SOCIETIES IN AND ABOUT MADELEY. 
« 7¢ 


»_ My dear, very dear Brethren, 
a comes with my best love to you, and my best 
wishes, that peace, mercy, and truth, may be multiplied 
“ unto you, from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by 
"the Spirit-of his love; with which I beg your hearts and 
mine may be daily more replenished. ¥ 
- Lam yet in the land of the living, to prepare with you, 
» for the land where there is life without death, praising 
without weariness of the flesh, and loving without se- 
paration. There, I once more challenge you to meet 
me with all the mind that was in Christ; and may not 


- ke 


eae ee ee 


48 PASTORAL LETTERS. ‘ 


one hoof be left behind! May there not be found one 
Demas amongst you, turning aside from the little flock — 
and: the narrow way, to love and follow this present 
perishing world. May there not be one —— | 
frivolous gratification, sold his birthright; ~ n + 
wife of Lot, who looked back for the good pre of the 
eity of destruction, and was punished by a judgment; al- 
most as fearful as that of Ananias, Sapphira and Judas. 

My dear companions, let us be consistent; let us seek 
first the kingdom of God and his Fighteousness, ahd all 
other things, upon your diligent, frugal, secondary en 
vors, shall be added unto you. Let us live dai y, more 
and more, upon the free love of our gracious Crea and 
preserver, the grace and righteousness of our Re- 
deemer and Mediator, nor let us stop short of the power- 
ful, joyous influence of our comforter and sanctifier. 

Bear me on your hearts, as I do you on mine: apd 
meet we all in the heart of Christ, who is the centre of our 
union, and our common ‘head; humbly leaving it to hin, 
when, and where, we shall meet again. In the mean 
while, I beg you will pay a due regard to the following 
texts, “Love one another, as I have loved you—By this P 
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you love one 
another—Little children, love not the wor 3 for if any _ “ 
man love the world, the love of the Fe Pend of. the — 
brethren is not in him—Be of one accord, “of one C4 J 
——Let there be no divisions among you—Mind not : 


i 
things, but things which make for peace and edification.” t 


Farewell in Christ, till we meet in the 
table, or in the spirit around his throne 
thanks to Mr. Murlin and Mr. Roberts: "Tam your afflict- 


ed, comforted brother, 4 ae 
e ni -* stoves sf e 
Tel lad a “s a 
ay Wii a 
" Se age ES 
a int py ¢ la 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 4g 


a LETTER XVI. 


, . Nyon, July 18th, 1778. 


THE REY. MR. GREAVES. 


My Dear Brother, 


T exprecrep to have had an answerto the two last 
jetters I wrote you, but have been disappointed of my 
hope. Probably, your letters have miscarried these trou- 
blesome times. I trust you lay yourself out in length and 
breadth for the good of the flock committed to your care. 
I should be glad to hear, that all the flock grow in grace, 
and that the little flock grow in humble love. 

pleased to read the following note in the church— 
“John Fletcher begs a farther interest in the prayers of the 
congregation of Madeley; and desires those, who assem- 
ble to serve God in the church, to help him to return public 
thanks to Almighty God, for many mercies received ; es- 
pecially, for being able to-do every day a little ministerial 
duty, which he considers as an earnest of the strength he 
should be glad to have, to come back soon, and serve them 
in the gospel; which he designs to do, please God, in 
some months. In the mean time, he humbly beseeches 
them to serve God as Christians, and to love ‘one another 
as brethren; neglecting no means of grace, and rejoicing 
_ in all the hopes of glory.” 


f I hope, my dear brother, that you remember my re- 


— 


‘quest to you, in my letter from Dover: and that you are 


glad of every possible help to dothe people good. The 
harvest is great, the labourers are comparatively few. 
Pray the Lord to-send more labourers iato his harvest: and 
vejoice, when he sends us any, who will help us to break 
up the fallow ground. 

Be pleased, when you have an opportunity, to read the 
following note to the societies in Madeley, Dawley, and 
the Banks. 


a 


350 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


‘“‘MPy Dear Brethren, 

“I hope you have no need of a line to assure you o 4 the 
continuance of my brotherly love for you. We are all 
called to grow in grace, and consequently in love, which 
is the greatest of all Christian graces. Your prayers for 
my soul and my body have not been without answer. 
Blessed be God ! Glory be to his rich mercy in Christ. 1 
live yet the life of faith; and as to my body, I recover 
some strength; which rejoices me the more, as I hope a 
good Providence will make way for my laying it out, in in- 
viting you to leave the things which are behind, and press, 
with earnestness, unity, and patience, towards the mark 
of our heavenly calling in Christ. God bless you all, with 
all the blessings brought to the church by Christ Jesus, 
and by the other comforter! Fare ye all well in Jesus ; 
and remember at the throne of grace, your affectionate 
brother and servant in Christ. v.F?. 

My love to all our kind neighbours, and to the preach- 
ers, whom I beg you will thank in my name. Adieu, my 


dear brother. Iam yours in the Lord, x a ud 
—— ~J 3 
LETTER XVIII. 
Nyon, September 15th, 1778. 


MR. THOMAS YORK. 


% 


My Dear Brother, , 

I ruanx you for your love, dnd generals care of my 
little temporal concerns. I long to know how you all do. 
You may see on the enclosed how I do in body. Blessed 
be the God of all consolation, though I have still very try- 
ing, feverish nights, and nothing but forced evacuations, I 
am kept in peace of mind; resigned to his: will, who -2 
afflicts me for,my good, and justly sets me aside for my 
unprofitableness. “Well, though I ama bruised vessel, yet 
I rest on him; he does not break me, yea, he comforts me 


, ~~ 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 1 


2 


von every side. His grace within, and his people without, - 
turn my trying circumstances into matter of praise. 

Give my love to all your dear family, and to the two, 
or three, who may yet remember me at Shiffnall. Also 
give my love to Daniel, and desire him, when he gathers 
the Easter dues, to give my love and thanks to all my 


parishioners. Adieu! Yours, PUEPAT is 
== 
LETTER XIX. 


Nyon, February 11th, 1779. 


MR. WILLIAM WASE. 


‘My Dear Friend, 


I mAve just received yours of the 24th of January, and 
rejoice to hear of the welfare of your friends; but there is 
no blessing here without some alloy of grief, and such was 
to me the account of the poor state of dear Mrs. Wase’s 
health. The Lord be with her as a comforter and sanc- 
tifier, if he does not chuse to be with her as a physician. 
Tell her, I should be glad to hold up her hands in her 
fight of affliction; but if the poor, unprofitable, weak ser- 
vant is far off, the master, who is rich in mercy, who fills 
the whole world with his goodness and patience, and who 
has all power given him as our brother, son of man, in 
heaven and earth—this kind master is near to her, and all 
his afflicted ones. Bid her from me, entreat her in my 
name, or rather, in his dear name, Jesus, salvation, resur- 
rection, life, light, and love, to look to him, and te make a 
free and constant use of him in all his offices. 

_ I recommend to her two remedies; the one is a cheerful 
resignation to the will of God, whereby her animal spirits 

) will be raised and sweetly refreshed ;. the other is four 
“lumps of heavenly sugar, to be taken every half hour, day 
and night, when she does not sleep. I'make a constant 
use of tem to my great comfort. They have quickened 


“ 


oi 


— i 


52 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


my soul when I was dying, and I doubt not but they will 


have the same effect upon hers. Our church has already . i 
extracted that divine sugar, from the seripture, and I put 7 
it into the Common Prayer-book, as the heavenly bait, © 1 


which is to draw us to the Lord’s table. Though they 
have often passed through my mouth when I have called 
her there, they have lost nothing of their sweetness and 
force. ‘God so loved the world, &c. If any man sin, &c- 
It is a faithful saying &e. Come unto me all ye that are 
weary, &c.? God grant her abundance of the faith, which- 
rolls these heavenly pills in the mind, and much of that: 
love, which sucks their sweetness in.the heart. Tell her, 
they go down best, if taken in the cup of thanksgiving— 
into which.a tear of desire, of humility, of repentance, or 
of joy, might be dropt occasionally. ‘Phat te o be 
had, by looking simply to Him, who sells oil to the virgins, 
who offered a springing well to the woman-of Samaria, and 
opened a fountain flowing with heavenly blood and water, 
when he hung for us upon the cross. ‘Fo him be praise 
and glory for ever! Amen! 

Tell my little god-daughter Patty Cartwright, she is big 
enough and bad enough to take them} and that the holy 
child Jesus came on purpose into the world to make them, 
up for her. Whata-sliame it is to have sucha remedy so. 
near, and not to make more use of it to subdue our unbe- 
lief; and’ cure our stupid ingratitude. 

Thank brother Costerdine and his fellow-labourers for 
their occasional help ; and may He, who gives the in- 
crease, abundantly bless it to them. and to our friends. 
May the Lord vouchsafe to consecrate our little Zoar, by. 


~~ calling one sinner, and establishing one saint, How abun- 


dantly shall we be repaid for our little expense and trov— 


ble! Iam, Yours, &c.. 2 FS 


‘ 


1 


—_—-. 


PASTORAL LETTERS. : 53 


LETTER XX. 
Nyon, Feb. 11th, 1779. 
£0 THE BRETHREN IN AND ABOUT MADELEY. 
My Dear Companions in Tribulation, 

Peace and mercy, faith, hope, and love, be multiplied 
fo you all in general, and to each of you in particular, 
from the Father of mercies, through the Lord Jesus Christ, 
by the Spirit of grace. I thank you for your kind remem- 
brance of me in your prayers. I am yet spared to pray 
for you. O that I had more power with God! I would 
bring down all heaven into all your hearts. Strive togeth- 
er, in love, for the living faith, the glorious hope, the san¢- 
tifying, perfeeting love, once delivered to the saints. Look 
to Jesus. Move on: run yourselves in the heavenly race, 
and let each sweetly draw his brother along, till the whole 
company appears before the Redeeming God in Sion, 
adorned as a bride for the heavenly bridegroom. 

I hope God will in his mercy, spare me to see you in 
the flesh; and if I cannot labor for you, I shall gladly suf- 
fer with you. Ifyou will put health into my flesh, mar- 
row in my bones, joy in my heart, and life into my whole 
frame, be cf one heart, and of one soul. Count nothing 
your own, but your sin and shame ;. and bury that dread- 
ful property in the grave, the bottomless grave of our Sa- 
viour. Let all you are, and have, be his that bought you, 
and his members, for his sake. Dig hard in the gospel 
mines for hidden treasure. Blow hard the furnace of 
prayer with the bellows of faith, until you are melted into 
love, and the dross of sin is purged out of every heart. 
“ There is a river that maketh glad the city of God ;” it 
is the grace that flows from his throne. Jesus is the ves- 
sel, the heavenly ark: get together into him, and sweetly 
sail down into the ocean of eternity: so shall ye be true 
einers, furnace-men and barge-men. Farewell in Jesus. 


J.F. 
E 2 


i. 


5a PASTORAL LETTERS. 


LETTER XXI. 
Nyon, May 18th, 
THE REV. MR. GREAVES. — tr 
My Dear Fellow-Labourer, 


My departure being delayed some weeks gives‘me 
concern, although, from theeonfidence I have in your pas- 
toral diligence, | am easy about the flock you feed. we 

There: was last: week a visitation held here, and’ the ¥ 
clergy of the town took my part against the visiter and 
others, who said, “ I was of a sect every where spoken: 
against.” The conversation about: it held so long,. and: 
was so trying to my grain. of humility, that.I ; out. 
The matter, however, ended peaceably, by: a vote that they 
should invite me to dinner. God ever save us from jea- 
lous and persecuting zeal'! 

I hope, my dear friend, yougo on emaipiadlty, doing 
more and more for the work of a growing evangelist.—- 
Remember my love“to all I mentioned in my last, to as. 
many of my parishioners as you meet with, and especially, 
to all our goed: neighbours and to the society. God bless - 
you all; and enable you to persevere in prayer for your 
self, for the flock (which: I once more recommend to you,, 
with the lambs—the children) and for your affectionate 
brother, uF. ' 


LEITER XXII. ' 
Nyon, May 18th,.1779.. 
MR: MICHAEL ONIONS: . 
My Dear Brother, 
I nave complied with the request of. my friends, to stay 
a little longer. among them, as it was backed by a small 
society. of pious people gathered here.. Three weeks ago, 
they got about me, and, on their knees, with: many tears, 


~~" 


~+ 


PASTORAL LETTERS. ca 


- Besought me to stay till they were a little stronger,.and 


able to stand-alone ; nor would they rise, till they had got 
me tocomply. Happy would it be for us all,.if we prayed 
as earnestly to him, who can: give us substantial blessings. 

However, yesterday I spoke with a carrier from Gene- 
va, to take me'to London, who-said, he would take us at 
a fortnight’s notice. The Lord’ is always ready to give 
our hearts a lift to the kingdom: of graee, through which 
we must pass to the kingdom of glory. May we be ready 

also! The-comfort of this journey is, that we all: may tra- 
vel together, though our bodies are asunder; for Christ, 
the way,.is.every where, and faith in his word is, like his 
word, one and the same, in every age and country. So is. 
holiness the narrow way’;. for in all: places we may love: 
God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourself. IT 
hope you, and. all your serious friends travel thus; and 
that your journey is like that of St. Paul, who travelled: 
hard, as one running for a prize—even for a crowa of 
life.. 

Giye my kind love to all. who travel in. this manner.— 
Invite kindly all, who have not yet set out. Stir up ear- 
nestly those that loiter, especially Thomas Powis,.over 
whom my heart yearns. Asbove all, give them the exam- 
ple of leaving the things behind, and pressing towards. the 
mark with renewed-vigour. Tell your wife, I hold her to her 
promise, of being the Lord’s more than ever, because the 


time is shorter for us-both. Tell your mother, I expect 


to find her a bruised reed in herself, and a-pillar in Christ 
Jesus. The Lord. bless. your brother and his wife, with 
that child born, that son given, who shall live to restore 
to us those whom death carries away. I hope Patty 
‘Cartwright, with her. parents, will be made strong in 
faith and patience,.if.not in the body. Tell Mrs. Ford, 
hope she is better in. soul for her bodily weakness,. If 


Mrs. Brooks is yet with her, L hope to, find them sisters-in 


Christ more than in Adam. _ I experience here that. kin- 


- \S q 
56 PASTORAL LETTERS» 


dred in the former is stronger and dearer than in the latter. 
Tell Mr. Wase, I hope he is a widower in the Lord, 
devoting himself to the bringing up the Lord’s family and 
his own; both of which require close attendance. My 
love to your fellow-leaders, and, by them to the compan- 
ions you meet in prayer; also, to Mr. Haltony and the 
preachers who help in the round. My love also waits on. 
I. Tranter, T. Poole, and T. Banks, and all who meet in. 
their houses. Tell them, I hope to find them growing up 
into Christ in all things, particularly in heavenly zeal, ~ 
and humble love. Salute all our dear friends and neigh- 
bours for me.—F arewell in the Lord. 1 am yours in him, 
J. F. 


LETTER XXIII. 
' Nyon, July 18th, 1779. 
MR. THOMAS YORK, 
My Dear Sir, F 

ProviDENCcE is still gracious.to me, and raises me friends 
on all sides. May God reward them all, and may you 
have a double reward for all your kindness. I hope l am 
getting a little strength. The Lord has blessed to-me a 
species of black cherry, which I have eaten in large qnan- 
tities. As a proof that I am better, can inform you,. 
that I have preached once in this country ; but as I was _ 
going to venture again, I had a return of my spitting 
blood, so that I desisted. For a fortnight past, I have 
catechised the children of the town every day; and I do- 
not find much inconvenience from: that exercise. Some: 
of them seem to be under sweet drawings of the Father, 
and a few of their mothers begin to come, and desire me,. 
with tears in their eyes, to stay in this country. They 
urge me much, my being born here, and I reply, that I 
was born again in England, that is, of course, the country 
whiclr to me, is the dearer of the-two. My friends have: 


= 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 57 


prevailed on me to publish a Poem on the praises of God, 
which I wrote many years ago. ‘The revising it for the 
press is. at onee a business and a pleasure, which I-go 
through on horseback. Help me by your prayers, to ask 
a blessing on this little attempt ; and may the God of all 
grace, who deserves so much our praises for the unspeak- 
able gift of his dear Son, give us such a spirit of thankful 
praise, that we may bless and praise him as David did 
formerly. 

Remember me in brotherly love to all your family, and 
to all friends about you, especially to those, who fear God 
and love the gospel. Let us grow in humble love, which 
becomes those, who believe themselves redeemed by the 
blood of the Son of God, to bea peculiar people, zealous 
of kind offices, and all manner of good works. 

I wish I could procure you an estate in this fine coun- 
_ try, as I hope to do Mr. Perronet, one of the physicians, 

who shewed me so much fove, when fF lay so sick at 
Paddington. His grandfather was a Swiss, who was 
naturalized in the reign of Queen Anne.—By calling upon 
some of his relations, E have found, that he is entitled to 
an estate of some thousand pounds, of which he is com-. 
ing to take possession. So Providence prepares for me a 
friend, a kind physician, and a fellow-traveller, to accom- 
pany me back to England; where one of my chief plea- 
sures will be to. embrace you, if God spare us. to meet 
again, and to. assure you how much I am, my dear friend, 
your obliged servant, J.F. 


LETTER XXIV. 
Nyon, December 25th, 1779. 
PHE REY. MR. GREAVES. 
My Dear Brother, 


Guory be to God for his unspeakable gift! May that 
Jesus, that eternal, all-creating, all-supporting, all-atoning, 


58 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


all-comforting word, which was with God, ‘and is God, 
and came in likeness of sinful flesh, to dwell among men, 
and to be our Emanuel, God with us; may he by a lively 
faith, be formed in our hearts, and, by a warm love, lie 
and grow in the manger of our an pieleenl filling it always — 
with the bread that comes down from heaven. Though 
absent in body, I am with you and the flock in spirit. 
You are now at the Lord’s table—O! may all the dear 

souls you have just now preached to, receive Jesus Christ 
in the pledge of his dying love; and go home with this 

lively conviction, “ God has given me eternal life, and 


this life is in his Son. He that hath the ae | 
have the Son, I have life, even eternal life. "The way, the 
truth, the life, and happiness, are mine; and now return 


unto thy rest,O my soul. Lord, let thy servant depart in 
peace; for mine eyes—the eyes of my faith have seen, the 
hand of my faith hath handled, the mouth of my. faith 
hath tasted, thy salvation ; a salvation st unspeaka- 
ble, and eternal.” % : 

Giory be to God in’ heaven! Peace on earth ! Love 
and good will every where 5. but especially in the spot, 
where Providence has called us to ery, “ Behold ! what 
mammer of love the father has testified to us, in Jesus, that 
we children of wrath, should be made children « of God,” 
by that only begotten Son of the Most High, w who was 
born for our regeneration, crucified for our atonement, 
raised for our justification, and now triumphs in heaven for 
our sanctification, for our full redemption, and for our 
eternal glorification. To him be glory for ever and ever: 
and may all, who fear and love him about you, say for 
ever, Amen! Hallelujah ! 

Out of the fulness of my heart I invite them to do so ; 
but how shallow is my fulness to his ! What a drop to an 
ocean without bottom or shore! let us, then, receive con- 
tinually from Him, who is the overflowing, and ever pre- 
sent source of pardoning, canetifying, and Naga 


~— e % 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 59 


ace ; and from the foot of the Wrekin, where you are, 

ate feot of the Alps where I am, let us echo back to 

“each other, the joyful, thankful cry of the primitive Chris- 

“ tians, (which was the text here this morning) “Out of 
his fulness have we all received grace for grace.” 

I long to hear from you and the flock. How do you 
goon? Answer this and my last together ; and let me 
know, that you cast joyfully all your burdens on the 
Lord. Mr. Ireland sends me word, Mr. Romaine told 
him, you were not very well. Take care of yourself. Lay 
nothing to heart. Should your breast be weak, preach 
but once on Sunday ; for you know the evening sermon 
is not a part of our stated duty. I say this, that you may 
not over do, and lie by as Ido. God direct, sustain, and 
comfort you in all things. 

Our Lord Lieutenant, being stirred up by some of the 
clergy, and believing firmly that I am banished from En- 

gland, has taken the alarm still more, and forbidden the 
ministers to let me exhort in their houses; threatening 
them with the power of the senate, if they did. They 
all yielded, but are now ashamed of it. A young clergy- 
man, a true Timothy, has opened me his house, where I 
exhort twice a week ; and the other clergymen, encou- 
raged by his boldness, come to our meetings. 

Give my kind pastoral love to all my flock in general, 
and to all who fear God, and love Jesus and the brethren, 
in particular. May all see, and see more abundantly, the 
salvation of God. May national distress be sanctified 
unto them; and may they all be loyal subjects of the 
King of Kings, and of his anointed, our King. May the 
approaching new year be to them a year of peace and 
gospel grace. Remember me kindly to all our neigh- 
bours, whom I mentioned by name in my preceding let- 
ters. Ihope Molly takes good care of you. God bless 
her. That you and the flock may fare well in Jesus, is 
the hearty prayer of yours, ae Ae | 


60 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


LETTER XXV. os 
Nyon, March 7th, 1780. 


Ss 


THE REV. MR. GREAVES. 


My Dear Brother, vot 
I Lone to hear from you: I hope you are well, and 
grow in the love of Christ, and of the souls bought with — 
his blood, and committed to your care. May you have — 
the comfort of bringing them all into the pastures of the — 
gospel, and seeing them thrive under your pastoral care. — 
T recommend to your care the most helpless of the flock— 
T mean the children and the sick. They most want your 
help; and they are the most likely to benefit by it; for 
affliction softens the heart, and children are not yet quite 
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. . 
I beg you will not fail, when you have opportunity, to ~ 
recommend to our flock, to honour the king, to study to 
be quiet, and to hold up, as much as fies in us, the hands ~ 
of the government by which we are protected. Remem- 
ber me kindly to Mr. Gilpin, and to all our parishioners. 
God give you peace by all means, as, in his merey, he 
does to your affectionate friend and fellow labourer, 


J.F. 


% 
——— 


LETTER XXVI. : 
Nyon, March 7th, 1788. 
MR. WILLIAM WASE. 
My Dear Brother, 

_ IT am sorry the building has come to so much more than 
I intended ; but, as the mischief is done, it is a matter to 
exercise patience, resignation, and self-denial ; and it will 
be a caution in future. I am going to sell part of my lit- 
tle estate here to discharge the debt. he 
to print a small work, which I wanted to ¢ 


PASTORAL LETTERS. 61 


bat, as I must be just, before I presume to offer.that mite 
to the God of truth, I lay by the design, and shall send 
that sam to Mr. York. Money is so scarce here, at this’ 
time, that I shall sell at a very great loss; but necessity 
and justice are two great laws, which must be obeyed. 
As I design, on my return to England, to pinch until I 
haye got rid of this debt, I may go and live in one of the 
cottages belonging to the vicar, if he could let the vicarage 
for a few pounds; and in that case, I dare say, Mr. 
Greaves would be so good-as to-take the other little house. 
My dear friend, let us die to sin; hold fast Jesus, the 
way, the truth, and-the Jife; walk by faith in him, and 
, not by the sight and passions of the old Adam. I hope 
the sun of affliction, which .burns poor England and us, 
‘will ripen us all for glory. Give my best love to.all our 
friends in Christ, and tell them, that the hope of seeing 
them does me good, and that I trust, they wii! not turn it 
' into bitterness; which would be the case, if I should find 
them out of the narrow way, and out of the kingdom of 
_ righteousness, peace and joy in the Lord. Salute dear 
John York; -hold up his hands for me, and bid him stand 
fast in the Lord ; leaning upon the cross of Him, who 
bruised the serpent’s head, and overcame death, hell, and 
the grave, by pulling out sin, the sting of death. Fare- 
well in Jesus Christ. - J.F. 


LETTER XXVHit. 
Nyon, Sept. 15th, 1780, 
THE REV. MR. GREAVES. 


My dear Fellow-labourer, 

I wap fixed the time of my departure for this month; 
but now two hindrances stand in my way. When I came 
to collect the parts of my manuscript, I found the most 
considerable parts wanting ; and after many searches, I 

wa i * Fr - . 


25 


4a * i> > a em « 


y 


62 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


was obliged to write it over again. This deci biel” 
me to put off my journey ; and now the change of weather 
has brought back some symptoms of my disorder. I — 
speak, or rather whisper, with difficulty ; but I I hope the — 


quantity of grapes I begin to eat will have as” =. 
effect upon me, as in the two last autumns. yf 
then a little while. If things are not as you wish, 


you can do, but as I have done for many years—learn — 
patience by the things which you suffer. Crossing our 
will, getting the better of our own inclinations, and growing 
in experience, are no mean advantages ; and they may all 
be yours. Mr. Ireland writes me word, that if I return 
to England now, the winter will undo all I have been 
doing for my health for many years. However, I have 
not quite laid by the design of spending the winter wi 
you ; but don’t expect me till you see me. I am, never- 
theless, firmly purposed, that if I do not set out this au- 
tumn, I shall do so next spring as early as I can. 

Till I had this relapse, I was able, thank God, to ex-_ 
hort in a private room three times a week: but the Lord 
Lieutenant will not allow me to get into a pulpit, though - 
they permit the school-masters, who are laymen, to put 
on a band and read the church prayers: so high runs 
the prejudice. The clergy, however, tell me, that if I will 
yenounce my ordination, and get presbyterian orders 
among them, they will allow me to preach; and, on these 
terms, one of the Ministers of this town offers me his cura- 
cy. A young clergymen of Geneva, tutor tomy nephew, 
appears to me a truly converted man; and he is so pleased” 
when I tell him, there are converted souls in England, 

‘that he will go over with me to learn English, and con-_ 
verse with the British christians. He wrote last summer 
with such force to some of the clergy, who were stirring 
up the fire of persecution, that he made them ashamed, 
and we have since had peace from that quarter. 


. 


4 


ey 


PASTORAL LETTERS, 43 


‘There is little genuine piety in these parts: neverthe- 
less, there is yet some of the form of it: so far as to go 
to the Lord’s table regularly four times a year. There 
meet the adulterers, the drunkards, the swearers, the infi- 
dels, and even the materialists. They have no idea of 
the double damnation that awaits hypocrites. They look 
upon partaking that sacrament, as a ceremony enjoined 
by the magistrate. -At Zurich, the first town in this coun- 
try, they have lately beheaded a clergyman, who wanted 
to betray his country to the emperor, to whom it chiefly 
belonged. It is the town ofthe great reformer Zuinglius ; 
yet there they poisoned the sacramental wine a few years 


_ ago. Tell it not in Gath! I mention this to shew you 


_ there is occasion and great need to bear a_ testimony 


against the faults of the clergymen here ; and if I cannot 
do it from the pulpit, I must try to do it from the press. 
Their canons, which were composed by two hundred and 
thirty pastors, at the time of the reformation, are so spir- 
itual and apostolic, that I design to translate them into 
English, if I am spared. 

' Farewell, my dear brother. Take care, good, constant 
care, of the flock committed to your charge ; especially 
the sick andthe young. Salute all our dear parishioners. 
Let me still have a.part in your prayers, public and pri- 
vate ; and rejoice in the Lord, as, through grace, I am 
enabled to do in all my little tribulations. I am your 
affectionate friend and fellow-labourer. 


J.F. 


LETTER XXVIII. 
Nyon, Sept. 15th, 1780. 


MR. WILLIAM WASE. 
My Dear Brother, 


You are also entitled to many thanks; receive them 
from me tij] I can return you something more substantial. 


‘2 


i : . at ia. | ; “es 
64 PASTORAL LETTERS. 


Give my love and thanks to the preachers, who come and 
help us. Enforce my little exhortation to the societies 
in much love. Go and comfort from ime Mrs. Palmer 
and Mrs. Cartwright; and since God has placed you all 
in a widowed state, agree to take Jesus for a never ying 
friend and bridegroom. Your Maker is your husband. 
He is all in all; and what, then, have you lost? Christ 
is yours and all things with him. The resurrection day 
will soon come. Prepare yourself for the marriage feast of 
the Lamb, and till then rejoice in the expectation of that 
day. Isympathize with our sickly friends widow Mat- 
thews, M. Blummer, E. Whittaker, I. York, and 5. Aston, 
Salute them kindly from me. Help them to trim their 
lamps, and wait for the bridegroom. Bid them not be 
discouraged. Thank Thomas and Nelly Fennel for their — 
love to the preachers, and give them mine, aswell as 
John Owen, &c. by whom, I send it to the little compa- 
nies they meet with, to call for strength, comfort and help, 
in time of need. Fare ye all well in Jesus. I say. again, 
farewell. Iam yours, TFs 
LETTER XXIX) 40 407) 
= : Nyon, ‘Sept. 15th, 1780. 


MR. THOMAS YORE... . <3 « 


- 


My Dear Friend, 

You see by my letter to Mr. Greaves, that Iam ia 
good hopes of seeing you, at the latest next spting. I 
have been so well, that my friends here thought of giving 
me a wife; but what should I do with a Swiss wife at 
Madeley? I want father an English nurse 3 “but more still 
a mighty Saviour, and, thanks be to God, that I have. 
Help me to rejoice in naib never dying, neta moving 


- friend. ' ea 
yet en % 


¥ASTOKSL LETTERS. 05 


Having heard that my dear friend Ireland has dis- 
charged the greatest part of my debt, I have not sent 
money; but I hope to bring with me 1007. to make up 
that gap, and reimburse my friends in part, till I can do 
it altogether. But I shall never be able to pay you the 
debt of kindness I have contracted with you. I look to 
Jesus, my surety, for that = may he repay you a thousand 
fold ! Remember me kindly to Mrs. York, Mrs. Harper, 
and all that yet remember your obliged friend and brother, 

J. F. 


4 
LETTER XXX. 
Nyon, Sept. 15th, 1780. 
TO THE SOCIETIES IN.AND ABOUT MADELEY. 


Grace and peace, trutlr and love, be multiplied unto 
you alk Stand fast in the Lord, my dear brethren. Stand 
fast to Jesus 5 stand fast to one anotlrer: stand fast to the 
vow we have so often renewed together upon our knecs, 
and at the Lord’s table. Resolve to: save yourselves alto- 
gether. Don’t beso unloving, so cowardly, as to let one 
of your little eompany fall into the hands of the world and 
the devil: and agree to crucify the body of sin altogether. 

T am still in a strait between the work, which’ Provi 
dence cuts out for nre here, aud’ the love which draws me 
to you. When I shall have the pleasure of seeing yov, 
let it not be embittered by the sorrow of findmg any of 
you half-hearted and lukewarm. Let me find you. all 
strong in the Lord, and increased in humble love. Salute 
from me ali that followed with us fifteen years ago. Care 
still for your ofd brethren. Let there be no Cain among 
you, no Esau, no Lot’s wife. Let the love of David and 
Jonathan, heightened by that of Martha, Mary,. Lazarus 
and our Lord, shine in all your thoughts, your tempers, 


your words, your looks, and your actions. If you love. 


* 


Fad : 


a. ie. 


ee a 
= ele ee ee 


66 PASTORAL LETTERS. vie N ' 


one another, your little meetings will be a renewed feast ; : 
and the God of love, who is peculiarly present where two 
or three are gathered together, in the name of Jesus and 
in the spirit of love, will abundantly: bless you. Bear 
me still upon your breasts in prayer, as I do you upon 
mine: and rejoice -with me, that the) Lord, who made, 
redeemed, and comforts us, home us all upon wah “ am am | 
yours in him, Xi Tvs 
LETTER XXXL. 
Nyon, February 34th, 1781. 
Mr. John Owen, ; 
I rHank you, my dear brother, for your kind lines. fF 
have deferred answering them, till I could inform you — 
of the time of my departure hence, which you will see in 
my letter to Mr. Wase. I hope you help Mr. Greaves 
and the preachers so stir up the people in my parish. 
Be much in prayer. Strengthen the things that remain 
and are ready to die. I hope you take counsel with Mi- 
chael Onions, Mrs. Palmer, and Molly Cartwright, about 
the most effectual means to recover the backsliders ; and 
to keep together to Christ, and to each other, those who 
still hold their shield. Salute them kindly for me, and _ 
tell them, that I hope they will give me.a good account 
of their little companies, and of themselves. _ 
- If I were not a minister, I would.be a schoolmaster, to 
have the pleasure of bringing up children in the fear of 
the Lord: that pleasure i is yours; relish. it, 
comfort and strengthen you in your work, 
the Lord, and of charity, is our strength. § lute the 
children from me, and tell them I Jong to show them the 
way to happiness and heaven. Pray, have you. astered 
the stiffness and shyness.of your temper? Charity gives.a 
.meekness, an affability, a child-like simplicity, and open- 


ity ia * 
ws 


| PASTORAL LETTERS: OF 


ness which-nature has denied you, that grace might have all 
the honour of it. Let me find you shining by these 
virtues, and you will revive me much. God bless your 
labour about the sheep and the lambs. 

I need not tell you to remember me to your friends, 
' fot excepting your brother-in-law, your sister, and your 
_ niece Sally to whose friendship I recommend my god- 
daughter Patty» Cartwright. Go to James Hinksman, 
give him my love, and ask his for me and his old 
brethren. Give the same commission to T. Fennel and 
Nelly, with respect to Samuel Stretton, and his wife ; 
likewise to Serjeant Lees, with respect to his brother 
Thomas; and to I. Tranter, T. Banks, and T. Pool with 


respect to their friends all about then. Remember me to. 


all friends. I am yours affectionately, die. 


P. S. Read the following note to all that fear God and 
~ love Jesus in Madeley church. 


My Dear Brethren, 


My heart leaps with joy at the thought of coming to sce 
you, and bless the Lord with you. Let us not stay to 
praise him till we see each other. Let us see him in his 
Son, in his word, in his works, and in all the members 
_ of Christ. How slow will post horses go in comparison 
of love! 


* Quick as seraphie flames we move, 
“To reign with Christ in endless day.” 


_ Meet me, as I do you—in spirit; and we shall not 
stay till April or May to bless God together : Now will 
be the time of union and love. 


* 
_ 


_* » | a a 


68 PASTORAL LETTERS: ay 
BETTER XXXII. > 
Nyon, February 14th, 1781- 
WR. WILLIAM WASB. 
My Dear Friend, 4 - 
I THANK you for your kind pemiciliniioeni of me. & 
need not be urged to return : brotherly love draws me to 
Madeley, and circumstances drive me hence. With plea- 
sure I see the days lengthen, and hasten the happy hour, 
when I shall see the little flock rejoicing in God, as, 
through mercy, I do. EF am exceeding glad that there is a 
revival on your side the water, and that you are obliged 
to enlarge your room. 
I wish I could contribute to shake the dry bones in my 
parish; but I have no confidence in the flesh; and what 
I could not do, when E was in my strength, I have lit- 
tle prospect of doing now that my strength is broken. 
However, I don’t despair; for the work is not mine, but 
the Lord’s. If the few, who love the gospel, would be- 
simple and zealous, God would again hear their prayers 
for those, who are content to go on in the broad way. I 
thank you for your view of the iron bridge: I hope the 
word, and the faith that works by love, wilf erect a more 
solid and durable bridge, to unite those who travel together 
towards Sion. 
My friend Ireland invites me to go and join him in the 
South of France ; and I long to see, whether I could not 
fave more liberty-to- preach the werd among the Papists, 
than among the Protestants. But it is so little I can do, 
that I doubt much, whether it is worth while going so far 
t upon so little a chance. If I were stron, nd had 
more time, the fear of being hanged should no letain me. 
T trust to set out next month, and to be in Engla 
May : it won’t be my fault, if it is not in April _ 
E am here in the midst of the rumours of war. The 
burghes of Geneva, on the side of the opposition, have’ 


\ ie eed 


' PASTORAL LETTERS. 69 


disarmed the garrison, and taken possession of one of the 
gates. I had, however, the luck to get in and bring 
away my nephew, who is a student there. Some troops 
are preparing to go and block them up. The Lord may 
at this time punish the repeated backslidings of those La- 
odicean Christians, most of whom have turned infidels. 
This event may a little retard my journey, as I must pass 
through Geneva. It also puts off the printing my manu- 
script, for there is nothing going on in that unhappy coun- 
try but disputes, and fights, and mounting of guards. 
Remember me in much love to Mr. Greaves, Mr. Gilpin, 
and the preachers who labour with us. O! my friend, 
give yourself wholly up to the Lord, and you will have 
that peace and joy, through Christ and righteousness, 
which will be worth a little heaven to you. Adieu. Yours, 


J. F. 
LETTER XXXII. 
Nyon, March » 1781. 


MR. MICHAEL ONIONS. 


} rHANK you, my dear brother, for your kind remem- 
brance of me, and for your letters: I hope to bring my 
fuller thanks to you in person. Come, hold up your 
hands. Confirm the feeble knees. Set up an Ebenezer 
every hour of the day. In every thing give thanks; and 
in order to this, pray without ceasing and rejoice ever- 
more. My heart sympathizes with poor Molly Cart- 
wright. Tell her from me, that her husband lives in 
Him, who is the resurrection, and that I want her to live 
‘there with him. In»Christ there is no death, but the 
sey Over death.* Oiler ns live in him, to him, for hign, 
who more than repairs all our losses. I longito rejoice 
with her, in hopes of meeting our departed friends. where 
parting and trouble shall be no more. 


Pa 


70 PASTORAL LETTERS. ~ : 
# i. 
: My love to your wife: tell her she promised me, to be 
Jesus’s as well as yours. | I trust her mother ripens faster 
for glory than for the grave. I hope to find her quite 
" mellowed by the humble love of the gospel. My love to 
John Owen, and all our other leaders, and, by them, to — 
the few who do not tire by the way. With regard to the — 
others, take them in the arms of prayer and love, and ~ 
earry them out of Egypt and Sodom, if they are loth to 
come. Despair of none. You know charity hopeth all 
things, and brings many things to pass. All things are 
possible to him that believeth, all things are easy to them © 
that loveth. God be with you, my dear brother, and - 
make you faithful unto death.—It is my prayer for you, 
and all the society, and all my dear neighbours, my dear 
ey parishioners, to whom I beg to be remembered. I have 
: no place to write their names; but I pray they may be 
Ks all written in the book of life. God is merciful, gracious 
Bi and faithful: I set my seal to his loving kindness: Wit- 
. ness, my heart and hand, nie es 2 


4 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


—<—36gIe- 
LETTER I. . 


Tern, November 24th, 1756. 


THE REV. MR. JOHN WESLEY. 
Reverend Sir, 


AS I look upon you as my spiritual guide, and cannot 
doubt of your patience to hear, and your experience to 
answer a question, proposed by one of your people, I 
freely lay my case before you. 

Since the first time I began to feel the love of God 
shed abroad in my soul, which was, I think, at seven 
years of age, I resolved to give myself up to him, and to 
the service of his Church, if ever | was fit for it; but the 
corruption, ‘which is in the world, and that which was in 
my heart, soom weakened, if not erased those first charac- 
ters, which grace had written upon it. However, I went 
through my studies, with a design of going into orders; 
but afterwards, upon serious reflection, feeling I was un- 
equal to so great a burden, and disgusted by the necessity 
[I should be under to subscribe to the doctrine of predes- 
tination, I yielded to the desire of my friends, who would 
have me to go into the army; but just before I was quite 
engaged ina military employment, I met with such dis- 
appointments as occasioned my coming to England. Here 
I was called outwardly three times to go into orders; but 
upon praying to God, that. if those calls were not from 
him, they might come to nothing, something always blast- 
ed the designs of my friends; and in this, I have often 
admired the gooduess of God, who prevented my rushing 
into that important employment, as. the horse into the 


question, which I beg you to decide is, w 


72 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


battle. I never was more thankful for this favour, thai 
since I heard the gospel in its purity. Before I had been 
afraid, but then I trembled to meddle with holy things ; 
and resolved to work out my salvation privately, without 
engaging in a way of life, which required so much more 
grace and gifts, than I was conscious I possessed; yet, 
from time to time, I felt warm and strong desires, to cast 
myself and my inability on the Lord, if I should be called © 
any more, knowing that he could help me and shew his — 
strength in my weakness: and these desires were increas- — 
ed by some little success, which attended my exhortations F 
and letters to my friends. ‘ 
I think it necessary to let you know, Sir, that my patron 
often desired me to take orders, and said, he would soon 
help me to a living; to which I coldly answered, I was 
not fit, and that, besides, I did not know how to get a 
title. The thing was in that state, when about six weeks 
ago, a gentleman, I hardly knew, offered me»a living, 
which, in all probability, will be vacant soon; ‘and a 
clergyman, I never spoke to, gave me of his own accord, 
the title -of curate to one of his livings. «Now, Sir, the 
hether, I must 

and can make use of that title to get into orders? For, 
with respect to the living, were it vacant, I have I 
to it; because, I think, I could preach with : or 
my native country, and in my own tongue. g : 

I am in suspense: on one side my heart tells 
must try, and it tells me so, whenever I feeh< 
the love of God and man: on the other, whe I 
whether I am_ fit for it; I so plainly see my wa 
and especially, of that soul of all the labours of a minis- — 
ter, love, continual, universal, flaming doves that my con- 
fidence disappears; I accuse myself of prid i% og to 
entertain the desire,,of supporting one daj 
God, and conclude, that an —— ‘y puni ent : 
will, sooner or later, overtake my rashness. As Tan 


an ¥ 


— 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 73 


both of these frames successively, I must own, sir, I do 
not see which of these two ways, before me, I can take 
with safety; and I shall gladly be ruled by you; because, 
I trust God will direct you in giving me the advice you 
think will best conduce to his glory, which is the only 
thing I would have im view im this affair. I know how 
precious your timie is, and desire no long answer,—per- 
sist or forbear will satisfy and influence, reverend sir, 
your unworthy servant, J. F. 


LETTER I. 
London, May 26th, 1757. 
THE REY. MR. JOHN WESLEY. 
Rev. Sir, 

Ir I did not write to you before Mrs. Wesley had asked 
me, it was not that I wanted a remembrancer within, but 
rather an encourager without. There is, generally, upon 
my heart, such a sense of my unworthiness, that I some- 
times dare hardly open my mouth before a child of God; 
and think it an unspeakable honour to stand before one, 
who has recovered something of the image of God or sin- 
cerely seeks after it. Is it possible, that such a sinful 
worm as I, should have the privilege to converse with one, 
‘whose soul is sprinkled with the blood of my Lord? The 

£ t amazes,—confounds me, and fills my eyes with 
tears of humble joy. Judge, then, at what distance I 

, “must see myself from you, if I am so much below the 

~ Teast of your children; and. whether a remembrancer _ 

within suffices to make me presume to write to you, 
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. 

‘i Lrejoice that you find every where an increase of pray- 

ope souls. .I doubt not but the prayer of the righteous 

| hath great power with God: yet I cannot believe, that it 

i" 2 

should hinder | the fulfilling « = Christ’s gracious promises 


J 


| ie ap 


a oe . 
74 FAMILIAR LETTERS. i 


to his chureh. He must, and certainly will come, at the — 
time appointed; for he is not slack, as some men count 
slackness; and although he would have all to come to 
repentance, yet he has not forgot to be true and just. 
Only he will come with more mercy, and will increase 
the light, that shall be at evening-tide, according to his 
promise in Zech. xiv. 7. I should rather think, that the - 
visions are not yet plainly disclosed; and that the dayge, 
and year, in which the Lord will begin to make bare his” - 
arm openly, are still concealed from us. ' oy 

I must say of Mr. Walsh, as he said once to me con- 
cerning God, “I wish I could attend him every wh 
as Elisha did Elijah.” But since the will of God = 
me from him, I must submit, and drink the cup prepared 
for me. I have not seen him, unless for a few moments, 
three or four times before divine service. We must meet 
at the throne of grace, or meet but seldom. O when will 
the communion of saints be complete? Lord hasten the — 
time, and let me have a place among them that love oe 
and love one another in sincerity. 

I set out in two days for the country. 0 aay 2 be 
faithful! Harmless like a dove, wise like a serpent, and — 
bold as a lion for the common cause! O Lord.do not for- 
sake me! Stand by the weakest of thy “servants, and 
enable thy children to bear with me, apd Nope. with ) 
thee in my behalf. O bear with me, dear sir, cand ‘gives 
me your blessing every day, and the Lord will return | it 
to you seven-fold. I am, Rev. and dear sir, your un- — 
worthy servant, Mi cee ae BR 9 


. x ‘ 
YY ae 
fe 4 
. 


PAMILIAR LETTERS. iv 
LETTER II. 
London, April 19th, 1758. 
MRS. GRYNNE. 


Madam, 

As it is never too late to do what multiplicity of busi- 
ness, rather than forgetfulness, has forced us to defer, I 
am -not ashamed, though after some months, to use the 
liberty you gave me, to inquire after the welfare of. your 
soul; and that so much the more, as I am conscious I 
naive not forgotten you at the throne of grace. O may 
my petitions have reached heaven, and forced from thence, 
at least pengpiopecot of those spiritual showers of righteous- 
ness, peace and joy th the Holy Ghost, which I implore 
for you. 

Though I trust, the unction from above teaches you all 
things needful to salvation, and especially the necessity 
of continuing instant in prayer, and watching thereunto with 
all perseverance, yet, I think it my duty to endeavour to 
add wings to your desires after holiness, by enforcing them 
with mine. O were I but clothed with all the righteous- 
ness of Christ, my prayers would avail much; and the 
lukewarmness of my brethren would not increasesmy 
guilt, as being myself an instance of that coldness of love, 
which puts me upon interceding for them. 

Though I speak of tukewarmness, I do not accuse you, 
madam, of having given way to it; on the contrary, it is 
my duty, and the joy of my heart, to hope, that you stir’ 
up more and more the gift of God which is in you; that 
the evidences of your interest in a bleeding Lord get 
clearer every day; that the love of Christ constrains you 

“more and more to deny yourself, take up your cross in all 

things, and follow him patiently, through bad and good 

report :—in a word, that continually leaving the things 

which are behind, you stretch forward, through sunshine 

_ of darkness, towards the prize of your high calling in 
% : 


” "e@ , 
76 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Jesus Christ—I mean a heart emptied of pride, and filled 
with all the fulness of God. This is the hope, which I 
delight to entertain of you; and I describe it not out of 
flattery, madam, but with an intent that, if you fall short 
in any thingy these lines may be an instrument, in the 
hand of Géd, to stir you up again, and make you look on 
all things as dung and dross, in comparison of the excel- 
lency of the knowledge.of Jesus Christ, vith whom, “we 
6ught to be crucified to the werld,and thé-world fo us. 
_. Fhave often thought of you, madam, in: reading the 
letters of a lady,* who was:a christian, and an eminent — 
christian, not to say one of the brigh lights} fhat_ God 
has raised since the late revival of g van Phere. | 
proach of Christ was her erown of: Pejoicingy hi cross her | 
continual support, his followers her dearest companions, © 
his example the pattern of her conversation: She livedya’ 
saint, and died an angel. Each one of her letters 
be a pattern for christian correspondence, -by the simpli~ 
city, edification, and love they breathe: in every line. oO 
when shall I write as she did? When my heart shall be ~ 


full of God as her’s was. ck bx? 
May the Lord enable you to walk in her » and 
grant me to see you shining among the | ha loving © 

Marys of this age, as she did but a few n ago. 


Her God is our God: the same spitit, deers her, 
is waiting at the door of our hearts, to cleanse them and 
fill them with his consolations, if we will but exclude the 
world, and let him in. . Why should we then give way to 
despondency, and refuse to cherish that lively hope, which 
if any one has, he will purify himself, even as God is - 
_ pure? Take courage then, madam, and consider, that the 
hour of self-denial and painful wrestling with. God will be 
short, and the time of victorious perpen 8 as 
eternity itself. May the Lord enable you 
weigh that gemnigeraion in the balar 


* Mrs. Refervé. 


PAMIZIAR LETTERS, tt 


and to.act agreeably: and may that gracious Being, who 
invites the young man to honour him in the days of his 
youth, grant you to see him whom he has given you: 
ponder those solemn truths betimes, and find, by a happy 
experience, that none is happier than he, who takes early 
the Lord’s yoke upon himself. 

I conclude, by commending you to the Lord, and to 
the word of his grace, and recommending myself to your 
prayers, I am, madam, your obedient servant, for Christ’s 
sake, HR 


== 
LETTER IV. 


London, December 12, 1758. 


THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 

My Dear Sir, ‘ 
ir my silence was owing to forgetfulness, I should blush 
at not availing myself more frequently of your permission 
to write; but the idea I entertain, that nothing but your 
great condescension can make my correspondence sup- 


portable, makes me sometimes act in a manner quite con- 


trary to the sentiments of my heart. 
Before I left Tern, the Lord gave me a medicine to 


prepare me-to suffer what awaited me here. x i 
* * * * * * * * % 
* * * ee * * * * 


This humiliation prepared me so well, that I was not 
surprized to learn that a person in London had spread 
abroad many false and scandalous things. of me, during: 
my absence; and that the minds of many were preju- 
diced against me. In one sense, I took a pleasure in 
thinking that I was going to be rejected by the children 
of God, and that my Saviour-would become more dear, 
under, the idea, that as in heaven, so now on earth, I 
should have none but him. The first time I appeared in 
ee G2 


4 


le 


as 


78 FAMILIAR LETTERS. ‘ 


the chapel, many were so offended, that it was with diffe! 
culty they could forbear interrupting’ me’ in my prayer, to_ 
tell me, “ Physician heal thyself? T'was’ on the point of © : 
declining to officiate, fearing I should only. give fresh 
offence; indeed, I should have done so, had: it not been 
for my friend Bernon, who pressed me’ to’ stand firm, 
representing the triumph my silence would give my ‘ene- 
mies, &c. His reasons appeared to’me so cogent, that as_ 
your brother did not reject my assistance, E read ‘prayers, 
and engaged to preach sometimes of a morning; which ” 
I have accordingly continued. to do. ak, 

The same day I arrived in London, our poor friend” 
Bernon took to his bed, as if the Lord had waited my 
presence to give the blow. Three days after the toil 
increased, and appeared to be dangerous. The next day, 
which was Wednesday, he settled his temporal concerns. 
Friday evening he was free from. fever, and I had some~ 
hopes of his life; but on Saturday it appeared, that the 
fever was the lightest part of his malady, and the physi- . 
eian said, he would die of an inflammation in his bowels ; 
which was the case on Monday, after an illness of eight | 
days. I sat up with him three nights, and saw him as- 
often as I could by day; and, blessed be God, Pdid not 
see him for a moment without fall assurance of faith. 
His soul was, in general, divided between the exercise of | 
repentance, and of faith in the blood of the Lamb; how-, 
ever, from time to time, repentance gave place to rejoic- 
ing; and when he appeared better, he expressed’ much 
fear of returning to life. Nevertlieless, one day, when I 
was not with him, he had a conflict with the enemy of 
his faith, which continued an hour or two, when he eame— 
off conqueror. The violence of the fever sometiines 
threw him into a delirium, and that was the case eae) 
hours before his dissolution. The mee rds h e uttered, ” 
before the strength of his at's deprived | ) 
were, “O what love! What love!” I have in my'h 


v7 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 79 


clear testimony that he died the death of the just: Thus 

to recompence me for the injury Satan has done me by 
a false friend, the Lord has taken’ to himself a true one, 
whom he will restore to meagain in the’last great day : 
such a loss is a real gain. 

I sincerely rejoice in the health of Mrs. Wesley. Pre- 
sent my compliments to her—not those of the ehildren of 
this world, but those of the servants of Christ; and don’t 
forget to give your little Charles a kiss of peace and 
prayer forme. Adieu, rR A 


LETTER V. 
London, March 22, 1759- 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 

You left me without permitting me to say, farewell ; 
but that shall not hinder me from wishing you a good 
journey, and [I flatter myself, that you are in the habit of 
returning my prayers. I have even shared the joy of 
Mrs. Wesley in seeing you again. Happier than the 
afflicted Jesus, you leave your own, and they regret your 
absence ; you return to your own, and they receive you 
with joy. You cannot yet be rendered perfect by suffer- 
ings; your father and mother have never forsaken you ; 
but no matter, you have, no doubt your afflictions; and, 

_ probably, the Lord puts. you secretly in a crueible, that 
you may come forth as gold seven times tried in the fire. 
_ May his left hand be underneath you, and his right hand 
-eyer embrace you! May he lay his hand upon you, and 
fill you with his strength! He will not forget Mrs. Wes- 
ley: I have had some assurances that he will not, when 
T have been enabled to lay at the feet of Jesus the delight- 
ful burden you put upon me, by interesting me in her 
_ present critical circumstances. If ¥ were more humble, I 
— ~*~ ; 


. ae 
80 FAMILIAR LETTERS. . 


i: 
would beg you to present her my humble respects; and. 
if I were strong in faith like Elizabeth, I could say, like. f 
her, with the fulness of the Spirit which should go to her | 
heart, “ Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is 
the fruit of thy womb!” But it becomes not me to pre- — 
sume so far; I shall be happy if my good 1 wishes may be 
found sincere before God, ‘ 

Since your departure, I have lived more than ever like ; 
a hermit, it seems to me, that I am an unprofitable weight 
upon the earth. I want to hide myself from all. I trem- ~ 
ble when the Lord favours me with a sight of myself; _ 
I tremble to think of preaching only to dishonour God, ~ 
To-morrow I preach at West-street, with all the feelings _ 
of Jonah: O would to God I might be attended with his _ 
success! If the Lord shall, in any degree, sustain my ~ 
weakness, I shall consider myself as indebted to your 
prayers. The adversary avails himself mightily of the — 
enthusiasm of Miss A d, to prevent the success of my — 
preaching in French; but I believe that my own unwor- 
thiness does more for the devil than ten Miss A 
however, I have thought it my duty to endeavour to stem 
the torrent of discouragement, praying the Lord to pro- | 
vide for this poor people a pastor after his own heart, © 
whom the wandering sheep may be willing to hear, and 
who may bring them to himself. 

A proposal has lately been made to me to accompany ~ 4 
Mr. Nathaniel Gilbert to the West-Indies. I haye weigh- 
ed the matter; but on one hand, I feel that I haye neither 
sufficient zeal, nor grace, nor ‘picum' to expose myself to ~ 
the temptations and labours of a mission inthe West- 
Indies ; and on the other, I believe, that if God calls me 
thither, the time is not yet come. I wish to be certain, 
that I am converted myself, before I leaye my eonyerted 
brethren to convert heathens’ Pray let me know what 
you think of this business? if you condemn n e to put 
the sea between us, the command. would be a hard one; 

~ ~ ag 


a 2 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 81 


but I might, possibly, prevail on myself to give you that 
proof of the deference I pay to. your judicious advice. 

Give me some account of Mrs. Wesley, and of the god- 
father she designs for your little Charles: and, that she 
may not labour under a deception, tell her how greatly I 
want wisdom, and add, that I have no more grace than 
wisdom. Tf, after all, she will not reject so unworthy a 
sponsor, remember that I have taken you for a father and 
adviser, and that the charge will in the end devolve upon 
you. Adieu. May the plenitude of Christ fill you, and 
may some drops of that precious oil run from you to me! 

ae Sy BF. 

P. S. I have taken possession of my little hired cham- 
ber. There I have outward peace, and’I wait for that 
which is within. I was this morning with Lady Hun- 
tingdon ; who salutes you, and unites with me to say, that 
we have need of you to make one im our threefold cord, 
and to beg you will hasten your return, when Providence 
permits. Our conversation was deep and full of thé 
energy of faith on the part of the countess; as to me, I 
sat like Saul at the feet of Gamaliel. 


LETTER VI. 
London, April —, 1759. 
REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, ; 
 Wirn a heart bowed down with grief, and eyes bathed 
with tears, occasioned by our late heavy loss, I:mean the 
death of Mr. Walsh, I take my pen to pray you, to inter- 
cede for me. What! that sincere, laborious, and zealous 
servant of God! Was he saved only as by fire, and was 
not his prayer heard till the twelfth hour was just expir- 
ing? O where shall I appear, I, who am an unprofitable 
servant ! Would to God my eyes were fountains of water 
to weep for my sins! Would to God I might pass the rest 


$2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


of my days, in crying, “Lord, have mercy upon me!” 


“ All is vanity”—grace, talents, labours, if we compare 


them with the mighty stride we have to take from time 
into eternity! Lord, remember me now that thou art in 
thy kingdom ! 


T have preached and administered the sacrament at 


West-street sometimes in the holidays. May God water 


the poor seed I have sown, and give it ‘fruitfulness, though | 


it be only in one soul! ~ 
I have lately seen so much weakness in my heart, both 
as a minister and a Christian, that I know not which is 


most to be pitied, the man, the believer, or the ‘preacher.’ ; 


Could I, at last be truly humbled, and continue so always, 
I should esteem myself happy in making this discovery. — 
I preach merely to keep the chapel open, until God shall 
send a workman after his own heart. I fill up an empty 
space; this is almost all I can say of myself. If I did 


not know myself a little better than I did formerly, I 


should tell you, that I had ceased altogether from placing 

any confidence in my repentances, &c. &c. but I see 
my heart is so full of deceit, that I cannot depend on my 
knowledge of myself. 


You are not well. Are you, then, going to leave us, _ 


like poor Walsh? Ah stay, and permit me to go first, 
that, when my soul shall leave the body, you may com- 
mend it to the mercy of my Saviour!” 


The day Mr. Walsh died, the Lord gave our brethren _ 
the spirit of supplication for him, and many unutterable — 
groans were offered up for him at Spittlefields, where I” 
was. Who shall render us the same kind offices? Is.not — 
our hour near? O, my God, when thou comest, prepare — 
us, and we shall be ready! You owe your ehildren an — 


elegy upon his death, and you cannot employ your poetic 
talents on a better subject. at 

Give me some account of yourself, of ity god-daughter, 
and of Charles. Present my respects to Mrs. Wesley, 


i See i fo 
‘, % 


whom the Lord will strengthen in body and soul, if my 
prayers ascend to his throne: and believe me your brother 
and servant, soliciting your prayers. J. F. 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. q 83 


== 
LETTER Vil. 
London, June 1st, 1759. 


~ 


THE BEV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My dear brother, or rather, my dear father, 


Surrer me to complain that you forget us. I wish my 
letter may miss you, and that you may come in person 
and answer it befere it reaches you. I know what de- 
tains you: I approve your prudence, but rejoice not at 
it.. How is your health, that of Mrs. Wesley, and your 
little family? The Lord gives me health of body, and, 
from time to time, I feel strength in my soul. O when 
shall the witness, who is dead, arise! When shall the 
Spirit enter into him, and fill him with wisdom; with 
power, and with love! Pray for me, and support my 
weakness as much as you can. Iam here. Umbra pro 
corpore.* I preach as your substitute: come and fill 
worthily an office, of which Tam unworthy. My pupils 
return to Cambridge on Monday, and the whole family 
-sets out for Shropshire on the 11th. Shall I not see you 
before that time? I have rejected the offer of Dr. Taylor, 
and have no other temptations than those of a bad heart. 
That is enough, you will say; I grant it; but we must 
fight before we conquer. Pray that my courage may not 
fail. Come, and the Lord come with you. Iam, &c. 

J. F, 


* A shadow rather than a substance. 


84 PAMILIAR LETTERS. 


LETTER Vil. : eh 
‘Tern, July 19th, 1759. 


THE REY. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. we? 
My Dear Sir, 


_" 


InsTEAD of apologizing for my silence, I will tell you,» 
that I have twenty times endeavoured to break it, but — 
without effect, I will simply relate the cause of my silence, — 
referring you to the remembrance of your own tempta- — 
tions, for that patience you must exercise ‘toa weak, : 
tempted soul. 

This is the fourth summer that I have been brood 
hither, in a peculiar manner, to be tempted of the devil — 
in a wilderness; and I have improved so little by my 4 
past exercises, that I have not defended myself better — 
than in the first year. Being arrived here, I began to © 
spend my time as I had determined, one part in prayer, 
‘and the other in meditation on the holy scriptures. The 
Lord blessed my devotions, and I advanced from conquer- 
ing to conquer, leading every thought captive to the. 
obedience of Jesus Christ, when it pleased God to show ~ 
some of the folds of my heart. As I looked for nothing _ 4 
less than such a discovery, I was extremely surprised, so 
much so, as to forget Christ. You may judge already 
what was the consequence: a spiritual langour seized on - 
all the powers of my soul; and I suffered myself to be © 
carried away quietly by a current, with the rapidity of © 
which I was unacquainted. 

Neither doubt, nor despair troubled me for a moment : 
my temptation took another course. It appeared to me, © 
that God would be much more glorified by my damnation, 
than my salvation. It seemed altogether incompatible » 
with the holiness, the justice, and the veracity of the — 
Supreme Being, to admit so subborn an offender into his , 
presence. I could do nothing but ¥ a agp at the 


ss 4 
oe ua 


re 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. - 8S 


: patience of God; and I would willingly have sung those 


verses of Desbaraux, if I had had strength. 
» frappe, il est temps, rend moi guerre pour Mind 
re en perissant la raison qui wen 

“Do not imagine, however, that T was in a state of evan- 
gelieal repentance; no,—a man who repents desires to 
be saved: but I desired it not: I was even impatient to 
go to my own place; and secretly wished, that God 
would for a moment give me the exercise of his iron 
sceptre, to break myself to pieces as a vessel to dishonour. 
A bitter and cruel zeal, against myself and all the sinners 
who were with me, filled all my thoughts, a 


nd all my. 
desires. The devil, who well knew how to improve 
opportunity, blew without ceasing the sparks of some 
corruptions, which I thought extinguished, or at the ur 
of being so, till at “last the fire begun to appear without. 
This opened my eyes, and felt it was time te implore 
succour. It is now eight days since I endeavoured to 
pray, but almost without success: yesterday, however, 
as I sang one of your hymns, the Lord lifted up my head, 
and commanded me to face my enemies. By his grace I 
am already conqueror, and I doubt not, that I shall soon be 
jore than conqueror, although I deserve it not: neverthe- 


| as: hold up my hands til! all these Amalakites be put to 


| 


i ie 


i | ae yee name of bins give it aie 


«fight. Tam, &e- i ; 


4 LETTER IX. 
8 London, September 14th, 1759. 

‘ REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. ; 
“My Dear Sir, z 
“Tra anc you for your speedy answer, and nothing but 

__ the assurance of your speedy arrival, is wanting to make my 

iness complete. Your last lines drew tears from my 
eyes : T cannot wait till your death, to beseech you to 
give me that benediction of which you speak. [ 


ur 


yee 
+ ‘ 
" * % - “ " % 


— % » 


86, FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


a - . 
read these lines, and to repeat it, as frequentlyas you 
think of a poor brother, who needs the prayers of every 
one, and who cannot part with yours. 

I accept with pleasure, the obliging proposal you: 
me for the approaching winter; and I entreat siti? ° 
sider it less as a proposal, than as an engagement § 
which you have entered, and of which I have a ri 
solicit fulfilment. Permit me only to add to i 
condition, which is, to make our reading, &c. ‘tend as. 
much as i ta to that Pe of spirit, which I so 
greatly ng 
A few d s ago, the Lord gave me two or ‘on lessons ; 
that subject; but alas! how have I forgotten them! I 
é I felt, that I was entirely void of wisdom and virtue. © 
Iwas ashamed of myself, and I could sayowith a degree — 
of feeling, which I cannot describe, «Nil ago, nil habeo, 
sum nil; in pulvero serpo.* I could then say, what 
Gregory Lopez was enabled to say at all times, “There ” 
isno man of whom I have not a better opinion than of — 
myself.” could have placed chia. done the feet of © 
the most atrocious sinner, and have acknowledged him — 
for a saint, in comparison of myself. If ever 1am hum- | 
ble and patient, if ever I enjoy solid peace of mind, ie 
must be in this very spirit: Ah! why do IJ not actually ~ 
find these virtues? Because I am filled_with self-suffici- 
ency, and am possessed by that self-esteem, which blinds 
me, and hinders me from doing justice to my own demer-— 
its. O! pray that the Spirit of Jesus may remove these " 
scales from my eyes for ever, and compel me to retire 
into my own nothingness. & . 
To what a monstrous idea had you well nighsgi 
birth! What! the labours of my ministry nde 
deserve a salary! I, who have done nothing butdishonour®) 
God hitherto, and.am not in a. condition to ny thing» 
else ae the fagure +t Tf, then, 1 am ceulettarigsicl 


‘. hing, h have en er 


fe 4 
« te ia is 


war. «Tee o 
i eee ) 

‘ FAMILIAR LETTERS. 87 
‘the courts of the Lord’s house, is it not for me to make 
an acknowledgment rather than to receive one? If I ever 
‘receive any thing of the Methodist church, it shall be only 
as an indigent mendicant receives an alms, without which 
he would perish. Such were some of the thoughts which 
passed through my mind, with regard to the proposal you 
made to me in London; ged I doubt, whether -y own 


I have great cele of your advice, relative to the aga, 
which I receive one after another from my relations, who 
unite in their invitations to me, to return to my own coun- 
try: one says to settle my affairs there; another, to 
preach there; a third, to assist him to die, &c. They 
press me to declare, whether I renounce my family, and 
the demands I have upon it; and my mother desires, that 
I will, at least, go and see her; and commands me to do 
so in the strongest terms. What answer shall I make? 
Tf she thought as you do, I should write to her, “Ubi 
Christiani, ibi patria ;”* my mother, my brethren, my 
sisters, are those who do the will of my Heavenly Father : 
but she is not in a state of mind to digest such an answer: 
a mother is a mother long. On the other hand, I have 
‘no inclination to yield to their desires, which appear to 
ae merely natural; for I shall lose precious time, and in- 
cur expense; my presence is not absolutely necessary to 
my concerns; and it is more probable that my relations 
will pervert me to vanity and interest, than that I shall 
convert them to genuine Christianity. Lastly, I shall 
have no opportunity to exercise my ministry. Our Swiss 

“ministers, who preach only once a week, will not look 
‘upon me with a more favourable eye than the ministers 
here; and irregular preaching is impracticable, and would 
only cause me, either to be laid in prison, or immediately 
‘banished from the country. © 
* Where there are christians, there is my country. 
ae 


ee 


} the nation resumes courage? § lute he 
and tell her that her brother, the captai 
trains his men as well-as he can fore 


- May the Almighty be your deferice day and night! Whe 
~ he protects is well np hi than 
for the sentence from Kempis, pone 
Pa by mabey. to you another— 


are in decency if you prefer yourself — one.” | ‘Tam, &e. 


ae Bay 
ame fl OF et oe TS 
LETIERX. 
. Foe FF 
Tern, October, 24th, 1759. 
_ REY. MR, CHARLES WESLEY. 3 
* My Dear Sir, ses at 


_. For some days past, the hope a hearing from yeu 
has been balanced by the fear that you were not in acon- 
dition to write. This last idea prevails.so much, that I 
take my pen to intreat you to deliver me from the inguie- — 
inde which I suffer from your silence. If the gout pre- _ 
vents you from writing, employ thé hand of a friend: if 
yow are in the third heaven of contemplation and love, 
let, brotherly love for a moment bring you down; if you | 
wander in the desert of temptation, let. unite onli a 
you to a miserable man, who feels hinneelepidetlt 
Since my last, I have taken some steps towards the 
knowledge of my el If you inquire what I phe a 
I answer, that I am naked of every thing, but p Pr 

: unbelief. Yesterday I was seized with the : 


: 


making rhymes, and I versified my shoogits om the pre- . 
ed sent state of my soul in a hymn, the first iI of which 13 
now send you. — If the poetry does me erve Te 
the language-will recal} to mind your Fs 

bs 


*~ ~ af 4 
™ 5 4 
wa - . 
, . 
——_ *~ 
SS _ 


and | yout little family a 
Th the French are at Liverpodl. nee 
I amt glad they do not ‘think of Bristol. Salute the tr cat of 

g half of yourself from me, and tell her, how mu 

Ma vice t vat your quarters have -been in safety hitherto; 
and that my hope is, they will continue so to the end of 


ras war. 


ay the care you taleat your health have the success 
 Twish; and while I wait the event, may He, who enabled 
St. Paul. to say, “ When I am weak, then am I strongy” whe. 
sustain you in all your infirmities, and fill yourinward =~ 
man with his mighty power! At the moment I was going 
to seal mine, I received your dear letter. You will see 
bythe hymn, in which I have attempted to paint my heart, 
that I have at present far other things to do, than to think 
of going on to perfection, even laying the foundation of 
the spiritual house; much less, then, can I. help forward 
those who seek it. Iam, &c. | 
; Jak. 


LESTER XL. 
Tern, September 29th, 1759. 


. 
THE REY. MK. CHARLES WESLEY. 


_ My Dear Sir, ' 
Your silence began tomake me uneasy, and your letter 
had. well nigh made me draw my pen.over one I had 
_ written to ask the cause of it. The Lord afflicts you : 
that is enough to silence every complaint, and I will not 
open my mouth, except it be to pray the Lord, to enable 
you and yours to bring forth those fruits of righteousness, ; 
J which | attend. the trials of his children. Take care of é 


aes 


" yoursels, for the sake of. the Lord’s little flock, and for | | 
"Ae, who, with all.the impatience of brotherly love, reckon ; 24: 
x ye till Ican. have the pleasure of embracing you. : 
I know any thing of true brotherly love, (of which I 


n2 ab 


ae 


’ ference; and they please, sometimes so muc 


“sentiments between divine and brotherly love, tojrdalion 
_ with the subordination of the latter, forms that delightful 


eoncerning hardness of heart ¢ what ‘you say about reduc- 


“sence from her, which hinders her 


- 
90 mpgant AR LET a 


often doubt, it agrees pein well with the lo 
as the sounds of the different parts of the mus . 
with each other. Their union arisés from their just dif. 


as they appear the most opposed. The’ opposition 6f 


combat in the soul of a believer, that being 
tween two, of the apostle,* which conéludés W 
fice of resignation, of which the natural :man ‘is not ca’ 
ble. Your expression, “ Spread the inoral Sense all o'er,” 
gives me an idea of that charity which T séck,’ The love 
of Gregory Lopez appears to me too stoical-! Ido ‘find 
in it, that vehement desire, those téars of love, Ir 
of seeing and possessing each other inthe! bowels of Jesus 
Christ, which I find so frequently in the epistles of St. 
Paul. If this sensibility be a failing, Ido not wish to be 
exempt from it. What think you? 

When I was reading Telemachus with my pupils, I was 
struck with this expression, “He blushed to haye becn | 
dorn with so little feeling for men, and to appear tothem | 
so inhuman.” I easily applied the first part, and the son — 
of Ulysses gave me an example of Christian repentance, ~ 
which I wish to follow, till my heart is truly circumcised. 
Send me some remedy, or give me some advice, against _ 
this hardness of heart-under whith I groans Apropos—_ 


theists 5 


ing a mother to despair,’ has made me Tecollect what I~ 
have often thought, that the particular fault/of the Swiks — 
js to be without natural affection. “With ‘respect to that 
preference which my mother shéws me above her other ‘ 
children, I see‘elearly, that I'am indebted for alznost ‘all 
the affection she expresses for mé in’ “her lettérg, rniye- ‘ 


Nevertheless, I reproach myself sevetdly, that I aioe r 
ai og ae AS 


renEniys “a * 91 


self in Bl as much as iat ¥ did in that of 
ay deceased father; and Iam aktonishedl at the difference. 
ig believe the time is not yet come,’ when my presence 


“may be of service to her, and I flatter myself she will not 


be shocked at my refusal, which I have softened as much 
as I could. . ify a oe 
I fear you ‘aid not rightly andewiparad sins I wrote about 
proposal you made me’ at London. « So far from 
making tonditions, I feel myself unworthy of receiving 
reba _ Be it what it may, I thank God, that I trouble 
“myself with no temporal things; my only fear is that of 
‘having too much, rather than too little, of the things 
necessary for life. I am weary of abundance: I could 
bé poor with my Saviour; and those, whom he 
_ hath chosen to be rich in faith, appear to me objects of 
“envy in the midst of their wants. Happy should I be, if 
a secret pride of heart did not disguise itself under these 
appearances of humility! Happy should I be if that dan- 
“gerous serpent did not conceal “himself under these sweet 


” flowers, and feed On their juices! I am &c. JE: 
‘ ” as = ” 
’ aon LETTER xi 
, . October Ist, 1 1759. 
oyik bgt (MRS. RYAN AND MISS FURLEY. 
lL. | My Dear Sifters,» al ty 14s Dee 


“Lnave put off cael aril ‘Jest the action of wee 
should divert my soul from the awful and delightful wor- 


’ ship itis engaged in. But»Inow conclude, I shall be no 


_ loser, if L invite you to love Him my soul loveth, to dread 

e: my r soul dreade to adore him my soul adoreth. 
ith me, or ther, Tet me sink with you, before the 

‘ of ek ve — cre Suge their oes and 


se 


"hy 


us be slecsteiacaalll by God, if se. eatitas omp' a 
him. Let us be supremely happy in God. ! ihaet the — 


ance, of solemn joy, of silent admirati n, of exalted 
adoration, of raptured desires, of i ed tr 
speechless awe. My God, and my all! Your God, and | 
your all! Our God, and our all! Praise him; and with © 
our souls blended in one by divine love, let. 
mouth glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus € 
Father, who is over all, through all, and in us shia 4 

I charge you before the Lord Jesus Christ, who giveth 
life, and more abundant life; I entreat you, | by all the . 
actings of faith, the exertions of hope, the flames of love, 
you ever felt, sink to greater depths of self abasing repent-— 
ance, and rise to greater heights of Christ-exalting Joye 
And let him, who is able to do exceeding abundantly, — 
more than you can ask or think, carry on and fulfil in you 
the work of faith with power; with that power whereby 
he subdueth all things to himself. Be steadfast in hope, _ 


immoveable in patience and love, always abounding i in the 


at “outward, and inward labour of love, and receive the end 


saath faith, etn of your souls. ol am, &c. 
f ¢ irdy ay ae vhieoe (Nek eeiaid? Je F. 
* 2k wee __ uta le fi 


- 
4 

4 
a4 
t 


_ My Dear Sin. siaipy ' 
nf ha letter wa 
gay arrival, in London, 


Soe 


to be address, ‘and ished: ies iad way a modern 
prod: ¢y—an humble and pious Countess:—I went with 
rembling, and in obedience to your orders; but I soon 
“perceived a little of what the disciples felt, when Christ 
‘said to them, “It is I, be not afraid.” She proposed to 
‘me something of sohins you hinted me in your garden; 
namely, to celebrate the communion sometimes at. her 
house of a morning, and to preach when occasion offered’; 
in such a manner, however, as not to restrain my liberty, 
nor to prevent my assisting you, or preaching to the French 
Refugees ; and that only till Providence should clearly 
point out the path in which I should go. Charity, polite- 
ness, and reason, accompanied her offer; and I confess, 
in spite of the resolution, which I had almost absolutely 
_ formed to fly the houses of the great, without even the 
exception of the Countess’s, I found myself so greatly 
changed, that I should have accepted, on the spot, a pro- 
‘posal, which I should have declined from any other mouth ; 
but my engagement with you withheld me; and thanking 
the Countess, I told her, when I had reflected on her 
obliging offer, I would do mysclf the honour of waiting 
upon her again. 

Nevertheless, two difficulties stand in my way. Will 
it be consistent with that poverty of spirit, which I seek? _ 
Can I accept an office, for which I have such small 
talents; and, shall I not dishonour the cause of God, by i. Y 
stammering out the mysteries of the gospel, in a place, F 

where the most approved ministers of the Lord have 
preached with so much power, and so much success? I 
Suspect that my own vanity gives more weight to this 
second objection, than it deserves to have: What think 
‘you? ‘tag 

Ries | pre myself up to your judicious counsels; you take 
umnecessary pains to assure me, that they are disinter- 
‘ested; for I.cannot doubt it. I feel myself unworthy of 
them; much more still of appellation of friend, with 


4 


‘ _ unhappy one for my soul. Every thing required that I 


_ you, which I do not for edi “ am besser your 


salvation, that I ask no other place in heaven, inde —_ 5 
may have at your feet. I doubt e 
@ paradise to me, unless it were d 
the single idea which your question died dented nt 
one day be'separated, pierced my heart, and bathed my 
eyes with tears. They were sweet tears which seemed te 
water and confirm my hope, or rather the certainty I have, 
that He who hath begun a good work in us, will also finish 
it; and unite me to you in | Christ, by the bonds of an_ 
everlasting love : and not only to you, but to your children” 
and your wife, whom I salute in Christ. Adieu, Iam, &e. . 


Nit? ugh iB | 
—=— re “belay yn 4 
_ LETTER XIV. si ah do 


Dunstable, March 1st, 1760, 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES seat ss nae 


EEX 


My Dear Sir, | ; oe iessiti Wiha Lee 
_L-Euave had a pleasant journey as to my baby, but an 


~ should cry without ceasing, Lord be merciful to me a sin- 
ner; but, alas! I have not done so. The fine weather | 
invites me to execute a design I had ee ON i 
ing a forced march to spend next Sunday at E 
Bevridge’s parish, There may the voice of ¢ 
heard by a poor child of Adam, who like I im, i 
hind the trees of his stupidity and impenitence! 
If I do not lose ees ney ae b ay re I 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 95 
vy ° 
: until I can again pray with you—Don’t forget 
I beseech you, if the Lord brings me to your re- 
membrance. Cast your bread on the waters on my be- 
half, and perhaps, you will find it again after many days. 
I would fain be with you on those solemn occasions, when 
a thousand voices are raised to Heaven to obtain those 
graces, which I have not: but God’s will be done ! 
Don’t forget to present my respects to the Countess. If 
T continue any time at Everton, I shall take the liberty of 
giving her some account of the work of God in those 
parts; if not, I will give it her in person. Adieu. The 
Lord strengthen you in soul and body. Iam, &c. 
. -~ a! F. 
LETTER XV. 
THE HON. MRS. 
ay Dear Friend, 
' To a believer Jesus is alone the desirable, the ever- 


tasting distinction and honour of men. All other advan- 


tages, though now so proudly extolled, so vehemently 


coveted, are, like the down on the thistle, blown away in 


_ a moment, and never secure to the possessor. Riches 


are incapable of satisfying; friends are changeable and 
precarious ; the dear relations, who are the delight of our 


heart, are taken away at a stroke ;—pain and sickness 


i 
-« 
j 


ie 


follow ease and health in quick succession ; but, amidst all 
possible changes of life, Christ is a rock. To see 
him by faith, to lay hold, to rely upon him, to live upon 
im, this is the refuge from the storm, the shadow from: 
e heat.—May it be given to you abundantly! And in 
ler to obtain it, nothing more or less is required of you, 

F sl a full and frequent confession of your own abomina- 


ble nature and heart, than kneeling as a true beggar at 


he door of mercy, declaring you came there expecting 
e and. relief, only because God our Saviour came to 


s 


- 3 


96 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 1 


redeem incarnate devils, and, for the glory 
convert them into saints and servants of the liy 
into children of God and heirs of glory. 

I think you take a sure method to perplex: bivtive! | 
you want to see your own Sang one 
at yourself for proof of your faith; ot see i 
your works, but you must eel it 
glory of Jesus is now, by faith, r 
some such manner as an infinitely | fi 
object, which appears in the firmament of seston’ i 
arrests and fixes the attention of the spectators on itself 
it captivates them, and, by the pleasure it imparts, they 
are led on to view it: so when Jesus is our peace, strength, 
righteousness, food, salvation, and our all, we are pene- 
trated with a’consicousness of it—-We should never rest 
short of this feeling, nor ever think we have it strong 
enough. This is to keep the faith ;, and our chief conflict, 
and most constant labour, must be against our own heart, 
the things of the world, and the suggestions of our great 
enemy, who are all intent to divert us from this one object; 
which Mary placed herself before; or to make us doubt~ 
whether in the life and death of Immanuel there was 
such unsearchable riches and efficacy, such a complete ’ 
salvation for all his people, or whether we are in that 
number. For my own part, I am often tempted to sus-_ 
pect, whether I am not speaking great swelling words of 
Christ, and yet am no more than sounding brass or a. 
tinkling cymbal; and I find the only successful way of 
answering this doubt, is immediately to.address to Jesus a 
prayer to this effect—‘ Whosoever cometh to thee, 1 thou " 
wilt in no wise cast out; Lord, have not I come to thee ? 
Am not I as a brand plucked out of the fire, depending 
upon thee for lite? See if there be any way geo beines 
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

My eye looks to the blessed Jesus, my» iden Pow 
be more in his service, my love—Ovthat it were 


a 


a + 


VAMILIAR LETTERS, 97 


iwwards him! L mourn deeply for my corruptions, which 
are many and great. When I look at him, and contem- 
plate his great salvation, I admire, I adore, and, in some 
measure, [ love; bat when I look at myself, my heart 
rises at the sight. But I have a blessed, blessed Lord, 
Christ Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells for me, and for 
the dear friend to whom I am writing; a fulness of par- 
don, wisdom, holiness, strength, peace, righteousness and 
salvation—a fulness of love, mercy, goodness, truth. All 
this, and a thousand times more than all this, without any 
worthiness or merit, only for receiving. O blessed free 
grace of God! O blessed be his name for Jesus Christ ! 
What a gift! and for whom? For you, my dear friend, if 
you are without strength, if you are in your nature an ene- 
my, allthis is for you. What says the everlasting God? Be- 
lieve, that he gave his son for sinners: and as a sinner, 
believe in Jesus. He came to save the lost; then, as a 
lost soul, believe in him. He came to cleanse the filthy ; 
then, as a filthy soul, believe in him. * And why should 
we not thus believe? Can God lie? Impossible! Can we 
have a better foundation to build on, than the Ce and 
oath of God? 

My dear friend, 1 know you will not be angry at my 
preachment: | aim it all at my own heart; I stand more 
in need of it than you, and I always feel my heart refresh- 
ed when I am talking or thinking of Jesus. It is a feast 
to my sinful soul, when I am meditating on the glories 

Which compose his blessed name. But O how dark and 
ignorant, how little, how exceeding litile, do 1 know of 
him! O, thou light of the worid, enlighten my soul! 


_ Teach me to know more of thy infinite and unsearchable 
~ riches, thou great God-man, that I may love thee with an 


" increasing love, and serve thee with an increasing zeal, 


Pion bringest me to glory ! aces 
he 
¢ ad a 1 
St ae ‘ 
aan 
4 be 


958 FAMILIAR LETTERS. od 


LETTER XVI. : 
Tern, September 26, 1760. 
REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. t ’ 


You answer me not, my dear sir: have | 
ceived my last, with a letter enclosed 
Huntingdon? But it is with an ill grace Te -omp when 
ought rather to thank you for the ¢ atory lcsion, which 
you wrote me in answer to my first from Tern. It might 
have comforted me, if I would or could, be comforted with- 
out Jesus; but I only ask strength > groan on till T can 
say, Totus mihi perplacet Chris tus h _ Without the expe- 
rience of this motto, yours will ” never raise 1 me above a 
devil, who can say as well as me, Totus displiceo mihi. 

I sera you here the copy of a part of a letter, which I 
have just written to Lady Huntingdon. “ The light 1 exe 
pected from our friend at Bristol is come, Kbaiagh: froma ' 
different quarter. A fortnight ago, the mini this | 
parish, with whom I have had no connection for these two 
years, sent me word, (I know not why) that his: ipalpit 
should be at my service at any time, and seems now vt 
iriendiv. Some days after, I ventured, without design, a 4 
visit of civility to the Vicar of a neighbouring parish, who ' 
fell out with me, three years ago, for preaching faith in. his 
church: he received me with the greatest kindness, and 4 
said often, he would have me take care of souls some 
where or other. Last Sunday, the Vicar of Madeley, to 
whom I was formerly curate, coming to pay a visit he 
expressed great regard for me, seemed to be quite recon- 4 
ciled, and assured me, that he would do all that was in 
his power to serve'me ; of which he yesterday gave me a 
proof, by sending me a testimonial unasked. _ He was no 
sooner gone, than news was brought, that the old clergy- 


'* Christ is to me altogether Pn cai hc 


+ Lam altogether hateful to > mysell, * 


a 


ae Sig’ 
bi ~ . 
° 2 Shy, ie Oe 


oC , eshus 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 99 


man, 1 mentioned to your ladyship, died suddenly the day 
before; and that same day before I heard it, Mr. Hill, 
meeting his nephew, who is patron of Madeley, told him, 
that, if he would present me to Madeley, he would give 
the Vicar of that parish the living vacated bythe old 
clergyman’s death. This was immediately agreed. to, as 
Mr. Hill himself informed me in the evening, wishing me 
joy. This new promise, the manner in which Mr. Hill 
forced me from London to be here at this time, and the 
kindness of the three ministers I mentioned, whose hearts 
seemed to be turned at this juncture, to sign my testimo- 
nials for institution, are so many orders to be still, and 
wait till the door is quite open or shut. I beg, therefore, 
your ladysbip would present my respects and thanks to 
Lady Margaret and Mr. Ingham, and acquaint them with 
the necessity which these circumstances lay me under to 
follow the leadings of Providence.” 

This answer is agreeable to the advice you have so re- 
peatedly given me, not to resist Providence, but to follow 
its leadings. I am, however, inwardly in suspense ; my 
heart revolts at the idea of being here alone, opposed by 
my superiors, hated by my neighbours, and despised by 
all the world. Without piety, without talents, without 
resolution, how shall I repel the assaults and surmount the 
obstacles which I forsee, if I discharge my. duty at Made- 
ley with fidelity ? On the other hand, to reject this pre- 
sentation, to burn this certificate, and to leave in the 
desert the sheep, whom the Lord has evidently brought me 
_into'the world to feed, appears to me nothing but obstinacy- 
_ and.refined sel@love. I will hold a middle course between 
‘these extremes: I will be wholly passive in the steps [ 
must take, and active in praying the Lord to deliver me 

from the evil one, and to canduct me in the way he would 
have me to go. 2 

at you see any ‘thing better, inform me of it speedily ; 

nd, ‘at the same time, remember ine in all vour pravers < 


#9 
r 8 


ee 


100 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


that if this matter be not of the Lord, the enmity of the 
Bishop of Litchfield, who must countersign my testimonials, — 


the threats of the Chaplain of the Bishop of Hereford, who 


was a witness to my preaching at West-street, the objec- 


tions drawn from my not being naturalized, or some other 
obstacle, may prevent the kind intentions of Mr. Hilly 
Adieu. Iam, &c. . Jak. 

— 

LETTER XVII. 
Madeley, ‘March 10th, 1761. 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 


I rHANK you for your elegy on Dr. M—n. It is pa- | 


thetic and truly christian. As I read it, I could notyefrain 
my tears ;—tears, so much the more sweet, as they origi- 


nated in a secret hope, that I should one day strip off the: 


polluted rags of my own righteousness; and put on the 
Lord Jesus Christ, like the Christian hero of your Poem. 

I feel more and more, that I neither abide in Christ, 
nor Christ in me; nevertheless, I do not so feel it as to 
seek him without remission. O wretched man that I am, 
__who shall deliver me from this heart of unbelief? Blessed 

be God, who has promised me this deliverance through 
our Lord Jesus Christ. 

My new convert has, with great difficulty, escaped the 
wiles of the devil; who by fifty visions, had set her on 
the pinnacle of the temple. Thanks be to God, she has 
come down, without being cast headlong.. I have had 
more trouble with her visions, than with her unbelief: 


7 


Two other persons profess, that they have received the — 


consolations of divine love: I wait for their fruits. 

A few days ago, I was violently, tempted to quit Made- 
ley: the spirit of Jonah had so seized upon my hompp 
that I had the insolence to murmur against the Lord ; but: 
the storm is now happily calmed, at least for a season. 


h . 
Sa. 


. £ wide 


= PAMILIAR LE’VERS. 104 


Alas! what stubbornness is there in the will of man; and 
with what strength does it combat the will of God under 
the mask of piety, when it can no longer do so with the 
uncovered, shameless face of vice. 1f a man bridleth not 
his tongue, ali his outward religion is vain. . May we not 
add to this observation of St. James, that if a man 
bridleth not his will, which is the Janguage of his desires, 
his inward religion is vain also? The Lord does not, how- 
ever, leave me altogether; and I have often a secret hope, 
that he will one day.touch my heart and my lips with a 
live coal from the altar ; and that then his word shall con- 
sume the stubble, and break to pieces the stone. 

The question, which you mean to repeat at the end of 
the winter, is, I hope, Whether you shall be welcome at 
Madeley ? My answer is, you shall be welcome even be- 
fore winter; for I have already lost almost all_my reputa- 
tion, and the little that remains does not deserve competi- 
tion with the pleasure [ shall have in seeing you. Fare- 
well. Yours, ea ©. 

LETTER XVIII. 
Madeley, April 27, 1761. 
REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 

l wave just received your letter, which at once fills me 
with pleasure, and covers me with shame. You kindly 
cast a veilover my faults, instead of exposing them as they 
deserve. This generous conduct will, if I am not incor- 
rigible, help to cure me of, what you style, my imprudent 
simplicity, but what I call by its proper title, of stupid in- 
gratitude : But what do I say ?—nothing can cure me, but 
a sek faith in that Jesus, who is made to us, of the 

Pather, wisdom: O that he were my wisdom! 

‘hen I,first came to Madeley, I was greatly 1 mortified _ 
and discouraged by the smallness of my congregations ; 


12 


ae ge me mie | Bae 
Me ie 


and I thought that if some of our friends at London had 
seen my little company, they would have triumphed in 
their own wisdom; but now, thank God, things are al- 
tered in that respect, and last Sunday I had the pleasure 
of seeing some in the church yard, who could not get into 
the church. I began a few Sundays ago’to preach in the - 
afternoon after catechising the children; but I do not 
preach my own sermons. ‘Twice Tread a sermon of — 
Archbishop Usher’s, and last Sunday one of the homilies, 7 
taking the liberty to make some Observations on such - 
passages as confirmed what I advanced in the morning; 
and by this means I stopped the mouth of many ae 
Sates. 

Thave frequently had a desire to exhort in Madeley 
Wood and Coalbrook Dale, two villages of my parish ; 
but I have not dared to run before I saw an open door. 
It now, I think, begins to open; two small societies of 
about twenty persons have formed of themselves in those 
places, although the devil seems determined to overturn 
all. A young person, the daughter of one of my rich 
parishioners, has been thrown into despair ; so.that every 
one thought her insane, and indeed, I thought so too. 
Judge how our adversaries rejoiced; and, for my part, I 
was tempted to forsake my ministry, and take to my heels: 
I never suffered such affliction. Last Saturday I humbled 
myself before the Lord, on her account, by fasting and 
prayer; and I hope that the Lord has heard my prayer. 
She found herself well enough to come to chureh yesterday. * 
You will do well to engage your colliers at Kingswood to 
pray for their poor brethren at Madeley. May those of 
Madeley, one day, equal them in faith, as they now do in 
that- wickedness for which they were Farris before you 
went among them. 

Mr. Hill has written me a very obliging letter, to engage 
me to accompany the’eldest of my pupils to Switzerland ; 
and if I had any other country than the place where I 


102 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. ¢ 103 


am, I should, perhaps, have been tempted to go. At 
present, however, I have no temptation that way, and I 
have declined the offer, as politely as could. Iam &c. 


w.#. 
: _ LETTER XIX. 
4 "Madeley, August 19, 1761. 
se. _ MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, " 


I wave at length received your letter, for which I thank 
you with all my heart. I fear you give yourself up to 
melancholy, on account of your ill state of health; or, at 
least, that you do not rejoice with a joy “ full of glory,” 
at the remembrance of that glory which Christ has pur- 
chased for you. I yet hope "hat we shall both see the 
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and that 
his providence will bring our bodies nearer to each other, 
at the same time that his grace unites our ‘Spirits in Christ 
Jesus. 

I do not know whether I mentioned to you a sermon 
preached at the Archdeacon’s visitation. It was almost 
all levelled at the points which are called the doctrines of 
Methodism, and as the preacher is minister of a parish 
jiear mine, it is probable he had me in his eye. After the 
sermon, another clergyman addressed me with an air of 
triumph, and demanded what answer I could make, As 
several of my parishioners were present, besides the church 
wardens, I thought it my duty to take the’ matter up ; and 
I have done so, by writing a long letter to the preacher, in 
which I have touched the principal mistakes of his dis- 
course, with as much politeness and freedom*as I was 
able; but I have as yet had no answer, I could have 
- wished for your advice before I sealed my letter ; but as I 
could not have it, Ihave been very cautious, intrenching 


=: 
104 FAMILIAR LETTERS. ‘ 1 


myself behind the ramparts ef Scripture, as well as those 
of our homilies and articles. a 

I know not what to say to you of the state of my veel : 
I daily struggle in the slough of despond, and I endeavour — 
every day to climb the hill difficulty. I need wisdom, 
mildness and courage ; and no man has less of them than 
I. O Jesus, my Saviour, draw me strongly. to Him who 
giveth wisdom to all who ask it, and upbraideth them not! — 
As to the state of my parish, the prospect is yet d : 
raging. New scandals sueceed those that wear ae, 
but offences must come : happy shall I be, if the offenc 
cometh not by me! My church wardens speak of hinder | 
ing strangers from coming to the church, and of repelling 
them from the Lord’s table; but, on these points, I am 
determined to make head against them. A club of eighty 
workmen in a neighbouring parish, being offended at their 
minister, determined to cope in procession to my church, 
and requested me to preach a sermon for them; but I 
thought proper to decline it, and haye thereby a little re- 
gained the good graces of the minister, at least, for a time. _ 
Farewell. ee ea 


—_ 
LETTER XX. 
Madeley, October £2, 1761. 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 

You have always the goodness to encourage me, and © 
your encouragements are not unseasOnable ; for discou-— 
ragements follow one after another with yery little inter- 
mission. 'Those'which are of an inward nature are suf- 
ficiently known. to you; but some others are peculiar to 
myself, especially, those I have had for eight days past, | 
during Madeley wake. Secing that I could not suppress 
these Bacchanals, I did all in my power to moderate their | 
madness; but my endeavours have had little or no effect: 


FAMI(LIAR LETTERS. 105 


the impotent dyke I opposed only made the torrent swell 
‘and foam, without stopping its course. You cannot well 
imagine how much the animosity of my parishioners is 
heightened, and with what boldness it discovers itself 
against me, because I preached against drunkenness, shows, 
and bull-baiting. The publicans and maltmen will not 
forgive me: they think, to preach against drunkenness, 
and to cut their purse, is the same thing. 

My church begins not to be so well filled as it has been, 
and I account for ‘it by the following reasons. The 
curiosity of some of my hearers is satisfied, and others 
are offended by the word; the roads are worse, and if it 
shall ever please the Lord to pour in his spirit upon us, the 
time is not yet come; for instead of saying, “let us 
go up together to the house of the Lord,” they exclaim, 
“Why should we go and hear a methodist ?” I should 
lose all patience with my flock, if I had not more reason 
to be satisfied with them, than with myself. My own 
barrenness furnishes me with ‘excuses for theirs; and I 
wait the time, when God shall give seed ‘to the sower, and 
increase to the seed sown. In waiting that time, I learn the 
meaning of this prayer, # Thy will be done!” Believe me 
your sincere, though unworthy friend, 52F: 


LETTER XXII. 
Madeley, May 16th, 1762. 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY, 
My Dear Sir, 

I wave received your letter, giving me the melancholy 
information of your daughter Sukey’s death. What shall 
I say to you on the subject? You know too well the dan- 
gers of that world, from which the Lord has recalled her, 
to repine at the premature felicity into which she has en- 
tered. We are yet in the vale of tears and miseries, but 
God has wiped away all tears from her eyes; let us, then, 


\. A 


106 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 4 


dry our eyes as well as we can, and hasten to follow 

lL hope that fatigue and grief will not wholly cast do 
Mrs. Wesley. Salute her from me, and tellsher, I w 

with all my soul bear a part of her burden. Why do §° 
say a part? ‘The Lord Jesus is ready to take upon hin 
the whole. Let us go to him, bowed down under the 
weight of our temporal and spiritual .afllictions, and 
shall find that rest, which he has purehased for us at 
great a price. Let us not forget to mingle, our ‘thanks- 
givings with our sighs. ‘The one shall be taken, saith th 
Lord, and the other shall be left. “Blessed be his hol; 
name his mercy still triumphs over his justice ! 

Since my last, our troubles haye increased: A y 
man having put in force the act for suppvessing swearing 
against a parish officer, he stirred up, all the other hali 
gentlemen, to remove him from the parish. Here I inter- 
posed, aad to do so with effect, Ttook: the young man into” 
my service. By God’s grace, 1 have beem enabled’ to 
conduct myself, in this matter, so as to. give them no hat< 
dle against me, and, in spite of all their nbhelen lL have got 
the better. t 

What has greatly — 9 is the behaviour of 
a magistrate, who was at the first inclined to favour me, 
but afterwards turned against _me with ‘peculiar malevo- 
tence, and proceeded so far as to threaten me, and all my 
flock of the rock church,* with imprisonment. Hitherto 
the Lord has stood by me, and my little difficulties are 
nothing to me; but I fear I support them rather like a 
philosopher, than a christian. We were to have been 
mobbed‘ with a-drum last ‘Tuesday at ‘the rock church + 
but their eaptain, a papist, behayed “himself so. very ill, 
that they were ashamed of him, and aré made peaceable 


* The rock church were a company of well di osed ee 
who assembled for hearing the word and ar na small hous 
built upon a rock, in Madeley Wood. 


oe =e oe 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 107 


for the present. Ask of God to give me wisdom, resolu- 
‘tion, and love. The Lord give you a prosperous journey. 
Adieu. Tam, &c. oF. 


LETTER XXIl. 
Madeley, July, 1762. 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 


Your letter, my dear sir, arrived some days too late to 
prevent my taking a false step respecting the papist in 
question. Three weeks ago, I went to Ludlow to the 
Bishop’s visitation, and thought the occasion favourable 
for my purpose; but the church wardens, when we were 
upon the spot, refused to support me, and the court has 
paid no regard to my presentation. Thus I have gained 
some experience, though at my own cost. The sermon 
did not touch the string with which T was whipped the 
last visitation, and I afterwards had the boldness to go and 
dine with the bishop. 

Many of my parishioners are strangely disconcerted at 
my bringing my gown back from Ludlow. With respect 
to the magistrate I mentioned, who because he acted as 
judge of the circuit two years ago, believes himself as able 
a lawyer as judge Foster; he, for the present, contents 

himself with threatenings. I met him the other day, and 
after he had called me Jesuit, &c. and.menaced me with 
his cane, assured me again, that he svould soon put down 
dur assemblies. How ridiculous is this impotent rage ! 
I have atempted to form a society, and, in spite of 
much oppe-ition and many difficulties, I hope by God’s 
| grace, to suctced. I preach, I exhort, I pray, &c. but as 
| yet I seem) haye castthe net on the wrong -side of the 
\ ship» Lee ‘esus come thyself, and furnish me with a 
) divine cow scion! For some months past I have labour- 
ed wader an insuperable drowsiness ; I could sleep day 


. ‘ = 


oan 


vig 


4108 FAMILIAR LEDTTERS: 


and night; and the hours which I ought to. employ with 

Christ on the mountain, I spend like Peter in the garden? 
I congratulate you on your safe arrival ini Lo 

May the Lord strengthen you in soul and body ; may he 


~~" fill you with wisdom and patience! Certainly, you need 


» much of both, to pull up the tares without rooting up the 

wheat. I approve your design of examining the state 
of things for yourself, before you engage in the business, 
May the Lord bless the productions of your body an 
those of your mind: may your little family and sail 
appear in the world, under the most distinguished protec- 
tion of the Most High. Adieu. Pray forme. I am, &c. 


Ink. : 

LETTER XXIII. 
Madeley, pies 1762., 

THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. ' 


My Dear Sir, 
I nave received your last, and I rejoice that Dr. Tur- 
ner, by whose skill the Lord once brought me up from the 
grave, has undertaken your cure. May he have the same 
success with you, that he had with me; but, be that’as it 
will, our comfort is to know, — God will do all for 
the best. ” 
“T have still trials of all sorts. First, spiritual ones. 
My heart is hard: I have not that contrition, that filial 
fear, that sweet, humble, melting of heart hefore the Lord, 
which I consider as essential to spiritual christianity. 
Secondly, the opposition made to my ministry i increases. 
A young clergyman, who lives in Madeley Wood, where 
he has great influence, has openly declared war against 
me, by pasting on the church door a paper, in which he| 
charges me with rebellion, schism, and being a disturber 
of the public peace. He puts himself at the head of the 
eee of the parish, (as they term: themselves) and, 


+ hi 
ae ae ’ # 


-.. 
PAMILIAR LETTERS. 109 


supported by the Recorder of Wenlock, he is determined 
- 
to put in force the conventicle act against me. A few" 
‘weeks ago, the widow, who lives in the rock church, and 
a young man, who read and prayed i in my absence, were 
taken up. I attended them before the justice, and the 
young clergyman with his troop were present. They call © 
me Jesuit, &c. and the justice tried to frighten me, by say- 
ing, “ that he would put the act in foree, though we should 
assemble only in my own house.” I pleaded my cause as 
well as I could; but seeing he was determined to hear ne 
reason, I told him, “he must do as he pleased, and that if 
the act in question concerned us, we were ready to suffer 
all its rigour.” In his rage, he went next day to Wenlock, 
and proposed to grant a warrant to have me apprehend- 
ed; but, as the other justices were of opinion, that the 
business did not come under their cognizance, but belonged 
.to the Spiritual Court, he was obliged to swallow his spittle 
alone. Mr. Madan, whom I have consulted, tells me, the 
act may be enforced against the mistress of the house, the 
young man, and all who were present. The church 
wardens talk of putting me in the Spiritual Court, for 
meeting in houses, &c. But what is the worst of all, three 
false witnesses offer to prove upon oath, that I am a liar; 
and some of my followers (as they*are called) have dis- 
honoured their profession, to the great joy of our adver- 
| saries. — 
, Jn the midst of these difficulties, I have reason to bless 
| the Lord that my heart is not troubled : Forget me not in 
| your prayers. Yours, J. F. 


: — 
bi LETTER XXIV, 


! Madeley, September 4th, 1762. | 


MR. ib ge oF 
My Dear Sir, 


I am very glad to hear your delight i is still i in the ways 
| of the ives, I trust, ‘you will never stop till you find 


: ’ © 2 


| 
: 


- 
- 
rj 


. 7 = 2 
% 
110 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


them all pleasantness to you. Fight the good fight of 4 
faith, break through all temptations, dejections, wander- 
ing, worldly thoughts ; through all unprofitable compan-— 
ions, and the backwardness of an unbelieving heart, and 
carnal mind: struggle, I say, until you touch Jesus, and 
‘feel healing, comforting virtue, proceeding from him, and 
when you know clearly the way to him, repeat the touch 
till you find he lives in you, by the powerful operation of 
his loving Spirit. Then you will say, with St. Paul, I live . 
the life of God, yet not I, but Christ wholiveth inme. 
_ Irejoice that you inquire, where Christ maketh his flock — 
torest atnoon. The rest from the guilt, and power of sin, 
you will find only in inward holiness: and that this I ap- 
prehend to consist in, what St. Paul calls, The Kingdom of 
God—righteousness, which excludes all guilt; peace, which 
banishes all fear that hath torment; and joy, which can 
no more subsist with doubts, anxiety, and unstableness of 
mind, than light can subsist with darkness. That there 
is a state, wherein this kingdom is set up, firmly set up in 
the heart, you may see from our Lord’s sermon on the 
mount, by his priestly prayer in St. John, by the epistle 
of that Apostle, and various parts of the epistles of St. 
Paul and St. James. r 
To aim aright at this liberty of the children of God, 
requires a continual acting of faith—of a naked faith in a 
naked promise, such as, the Son of God was manifested 
to destroy the works of the devil—The law of the Spirit 
of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law 
of Sin and death—I can do all things, through Christ, who 
Strengtheneth me. By a naked faith in a naked promise, 
I do not mean a bare assent, that God is faithful, and that 
such a promise in the book of God may be fulfilled in me; 
but a bold, hearty, steady, venturing of my soul, body, and 
spirit upon the truth of the promise, with an appropriating 
act. It is mine, because I am a sinner; and I am deter- 


mined to believe, come what will. Here you must shut 


i @ 
* 


ee fo or & 


o pie 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 11k 


_ the eye of carnal reason, and stop the ear of the mind to 
the reasonings of the Serpent; which, were you to reason 
with him, would be endless, and would soon draw you 
out of the simple way of that faith, by which we are both 
justified and sanctified. 

You must also remember, that it is your privilege to go 
to Christ, by such a faith now, and every succeeding 
moment; and that you are to bring nothing but a careless 
distracted, tossed, hardened heart; just such a one, as 
you have now. Here lies the grand mistake of many 
poor miserable, but precious souls: they are afraid to be- 
lieve, lest it should be presumption, because they have not 
as yet comfort, joy, love, &c. not considering, that this is 
to look for fruit, before the tree is planted. Beware, then, 
of looking for any grace, previous to your believing, 
let this be uppermost in your mind. 

The Lord make you wise as a serpent, and harmless as 
the loving dove; but beware of the serpent’s food, dust 
and the dove’s bane, bird-lime—worldly cares. O, my 
friend, what is the world? A flying shadow, as we fly © 
through it, let us loose ourselves in the eternal substance. 


Farewell in the Lord. Your’s, 2 Jak 
L—__—__—_} 
LETTER XXV. 


Madeley, September 20, 1762... 


REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 


Ir is well for me I have not an implicit faith in your 
half promises of coming to see me. I am sorry that my 
delay has furnished you with an apology; but comfort 
myself still with the idea, that you will not wholly deprive 
me of the pleasure of embracing you; and that your visit 
is only postponed for a little season. 

The “Crede quod habes, et habes’’* is not very differ- 
ent from those words of Christ, ‘‘ What things soever ye 


* Relieve that you haye it and you have it, 


% 


ffi 


ag 


PF sl a | 
? 
112 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 
desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, 
ye shall,have them.”* The humble reason of the believer, 
and the irrational presumption of the enthusiast, draw this 
doctrine to the right hand or the left. But to split the 
hair,—here lies the difficulty. I have told you that I am 
party man: I am neither for nor against the witness. 
al Christian perfection, without examination. I complain 
of those who deceive themselves: I honour those who do 
honour to their profession; and I wish we-could find out 
the right way of reconciling the most profound humility — 
with the most lively hopes of grace. I think you insist ~ : 
on the one, and M on the other; and I believe you~ 
both sincere in your views. God bless you both, and, if 
either of you goes too far, may the Lord bring him back. 
Truly, you are a pleasant casuist. What! “It hath 
pleased thee to regenerate this infant with thy Holy Spirit, — 
to receive him for thine own child by adoption, and to 
‘incorporate him into thy holy church.” Does all this ~ 
signify nothing more, than being taken into the visible 
church? aia oe 2 
How came you to think of my going to leave Madeley? — 
I have, indeed, had my scruples about the above passage 
and some in the burial service; but you may dismiss your 
fears, and be assured I will neither marry, nor leave my © 
church, without advising with you. Adieu. Your affec-— 
tionate brother, . I. Fog 


§ *, 
LETTER XXVI._ 


Madeles y, November z 1762. 


TO MISS HATTON. 
Madam, ; 
I THANK you for the confidence you ‘repose in the 
advice of a poor fellow-sinner: May the Father of lights 
irect you through so vile an instrument! If you build all 


* Mark xi240 oy 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 113 


your hopes of heaven-upon Jesus Christ in all his offices, 
you do not build without a foundation, but upon the true 
one. j 

That there is a seal of pardon, and an earnest of our 
inheritance above, which you are as yet a stranger to, 
seems clear from the tenour of your letter; but had I been 
in the place of the gentleman you mention, I would have 
endeavoured to lay it before you, as the fruit of faith, and 
a most glorious privilege, rather than as the root of faith, 
and. a thing absolutely necessary to the being of it. 

I believe many people know, when they receive faith, 
and all people, when they receive the seal of their pardon: 
when they believe in Christ, they are justified in the sight 
of God; and when they are sealed by the Spirit, they are 
fully assured of that justification in their ewn conscience. 
Some receive faith, and the seal-of their pardon in the same 
. instant, as the jailer, &c.; but most receive faith first, as 
- ‘the dying thief, the woman of Canaan, David, the people 
of Samaria,* and the faithful at Ephesus.t Suppose then 
God gave you faith, i.e: a hearty trust in the blood of 
Christ, a sincere closing with him, as your righteousness 
and your all, while you received the sacrament (which 
seems to me very probable, by the account you give me) 
your way is exceeding plain before you. Hold fast your 
confidence, but do not trust, nor rest in it; trust in Christ, 
and remember, he says, I am the way; not for you to 
stop, but to run on irhim. Rejoice to hear, that there is 
a full assurance of faith tobe obtained by the seal of God’s 
Spirit, and go on from faith to faith, until you are possessed 
of it. But remember this, and let this double advice pre- 
vent your straying to the right or left—First, that you will 
have reason to suspect the sincerity of your zeal, if you 
lie down easy without the seal of your pardon, and the full 
assurance of your faith: Secondly, while you wait for that 
seal in: all the means of'grace, beware of being unthank ‘tl 


* Acts viii. 12. 16 ¢ Eph. & 13: 
K 2 


¥ wy F ‘gig 
- 


114 PAMILIAR LETTERS: 


for the least degree of faith and cont dont Jesus ; be- 
ware of burying one talent, because you have not feet 4 
beware of despising the grain of mustard seed, pee it 
is not yet a tree. 

May the Lord teach you the middle path, between rest 
ing short of the happiness of making your calling and 
election sure, and supposing you are neither called nor 
chosen, and that God hath not yet truly begun the good” 
work. You can never be too bold in believing, provided — 
you aspire still after new degrees of faith, and do not use — 
your faith as a cloak for sin. The Lord despises not the ~ 
day of small things; only beware of. resting in. small 
things; and look for the seal and abiding. witness of God’s 
Spirit, according to the following direction, | 


“ Restless, resigned, for.this I wait, 
For this my vehement soul stands still.” 


As to deep sights of the evil of sin, the more you go on,. 
the more you will see Christ exceeding lovely, and sin 
exceeding sinful; therefore look up to Jesus, as a vile and” 
helpless sinner, pleading his promises; this is going on, 
and trust him for the rest. : 
With respect to myself, in many conflicts and troubles _ 
of soul, I have consulted many masters of the spiritual’ 
life; but divine mercy did not, does not, suffer me-to rest 
upon the word of a fellow-creature. The best advices 
have often increased my perplexities; and the end was,” 
to make me cease from human dependance, and wait upon 
God fram the dust of self-despair. To him, therefore, I 
desire to point you and myself, in the person of Jesus. 
Christ. This incarnate God receives weary, perplexed 
sinners still, and gives them solid rest, He teaches, as no 
man ever taught; his words have spirit and life >; Nor can 
he possibly mistake our case. . I am, madam, your fellow- 
servant in the patience and kingdom of Jesus. J, F. 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 115 


Ws LETTER XXVIL 7 
Madeley, November 22, 1762. 


THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
My Dear Sir, 

Te debates about the illegality of exhorting in houses 
(although only in my own parish) grew some time ago to 
such a height, that I was obliged to lay my reasons before 
the bishop; but his lordship very prudently sends me no 
answer. I think he knows not how to disapprove, and 
yet dares not approve, this methodistical way of proce- 
dure. 

Brother: Ley arrived safe here yesterday, and ‘confirms 
the melancholy news of many of our brethren overshooting 
sober and steady christianity in London. I feel a great. 
deal for you and the church in these critical circumstances. 
©. that I could stand in the gap! O that’ could, by. sae- 
rificing myself, shut this immense abyss: of enthusiasm, 
which opens its mouth among us! 

* The corruption of the best things is always the worst of 
corruptions. Going into an extreme of this nature, or only 
winking at it, will give an eternal sanction to the vile 
aspersions cast, on all sides, on the purest doctrines of. 
christianity ; and we shall’ sadly overthrow—overthrow, 
in the worst manner, what we have endeavoured to build 
for many years. 

The nearer the parts that mortify are to the heart, the 
more speedily is cy amputation to be resolved upon. You 
will say, perhaps, “ But what if the heart itself is attack- 
ed?” Then, let the heart be plucked out as well as the 
right eye. Was not Abraham’s heart bound up in the life 
of Isaac? Yet he believed, that if he offered him up, God 
was able to restore him, even*from the dead; and was not 
God better to him than his hopes? 

‘Thave a particular regard for M — and B- ; 
both. of them are my correspondents: I am strongly pre- 
judiced in favour of the witnesses, and do not willingly 


« 1 
116 FAMILIAR LETTERS. ny 


% ‘Feceive what is said against them; but allowi th what’ 
is teported is one half mere exaggeration, the tenth part 
of the rest shews, that spiritual pride, /presumption, arro= 

‘gance, stubbornness, party: spirit, uncharitableness, pro- 
phetic mistakes—in short, that every sinew. of enthusias 
is now at work in many of that body. I do not credit 
any one’s bare word, but I ground my sentiments on. B—’s 
own letters. by 

May I presume, unasked, to lay béfore you my mite of 
observation. If I had it in my power to overlook the 
matter, as you have, would it be wrong in me calmly to 
sit down with some: unprejudiced friends,.and lovers of 
both parties, and fix with.them the marks and sympto: 
of enthusiasm ; then insist, at firstin love, and afterwards, 

. if necessary, with all the weight of my authority, upom 

those who have them,.or plead for them, either to stand to 

the sober rule of Christianity, or openly to depart from us? 

Fear not, dear sir, the Lord willtake care of the ark. 
and though hundreds of Uzziahs should fall off, most of 
them would return with Noah’s dove. Have faith in the 
word, and leave the rest-to Providence. . “The Lord will 
provide,” is a comfortable motto for a believer: I am, 
with most hearty prayers, that God would fill you, more 
than ever, with wisdom, steadiness, meekness, and _forti- 
tnde, Rev. and dear sir, &c. J, Es 


ae - 


LETTER, XXVUU 
Madeley, January i! 1763. 
THE REV. MR.. CHARLES: WESLEY. 
My: Dear Sir, 

I CONGRATULATE you on the pe the Lord ll 
you last year, and I beseech him to supply the lamp of 
your days with new. oil, during the ¢ourse of that upon 
which we are now entering. Above»all, may. he: fill the 
vessel of your heart with the oi! of gladness, and prepare 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. aly 


o* 
you for all events which time may bring forth. May he” 
able you to carry the light of his glorious gospel into 
the hearts of thousands by your writings and sermons, and 
wisdom and grace into mine by your letters and conversa- 
tion. ; ; 

My soul does not experience a new life in this renova- 
tion of the year: O may the Almighty enable me to con- 
clude it in a better spirit than I have begun it! What I 
want is the light and mighty power of the Spirit of my 
God. Happy should I be, if, in the midst of all my press- 
ing wants, I had the power and the will constantly to cast 
my burdens at the feet of the Lord. As to my parish, 
we are just where we were; we look for our Penticost, 
but we do not pray sufficiently for to obtain it. We are 
left in tolerable quiet by all but the sergeant, who sent a _ 
constable to make inquiry concerning the life of his Ma- 
jesty’s subjects, upon information, that the cry of murder 
had been heard in my house on christmas day. This 
report originated in the cries of a young woman, who is 
of our society, and whom Satan has bound for some months. 

It seems to me, as if that old murderer proposed to ruin 
the success of my ministry at Madeley, as he did at Lon- 
don, in the French church, by means of Miss A d. 
She emaciates her body by fastings, falls into convulsions, 
sometimes in the church and sometimes in our private 
assemblies, and is perpetually tempted to suicide: her 
constitution is considerably weakened as well as her un- 
derstanding. _ What to do in this case, I don’t know; for 
those, who are tempted in this manner, pay as little regard 
to reason, as the miserable people in Bedlam. Prayer 
and fasting are only our resources: we propose to repre- 
sent her case to the Lord on Tuesday next, and on all the 

following Tuesdays; aid the weakness of our prayers, 
with all the power of yours. Adieu. That the Lord © 
may strengthen you and yours in body and soul, is the . 
carnest prayer of your, ideal bolle E 


4 . a ¥ 
118 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 5 


“4 
_ LETTER XXIX. * . 
! Madeey, January 28, 1763. 


MISS HATTON. 
Dear Madam, * 
I snare in the joy, which your deliverance from your 
tate trials gives to those who shared in your perple 
Heaviness may endure for a night, but gladness Gaol 
the morning; and when it comes after a long, uneas 
hight, it is doubly welcome, and deserves a double tribut 
of praises. O be not wanting in that sweet duty! I me 
praising, from a sense of the divine goodness, love, an 
patience towards us. Remember that you are broug 
from darkness to light, to shew forth the praises of Hi 
who calleth you; and that your feet are set at liberty 
you to run, with patience, the race of prayer and praise, 
self-denial and obedience, which the Lord hath set before 
you. a ‘ 
Would you go on comfortably and steadily for the time 
to come, beg of the Lord, to give you grace to follow the 
following advice. 1st. Live above earthly and creature 
comforts. 2d. Beware of flatness and ‘lukewarmness: 
this, if not carried immediately to the Lord, ends often in 
darkness and deadness. 3d. Value divine comforts above 
all things, and prize Christ above all comforts, ‘that if they 
should fail, you may still glory in the God of your salva- 
tion. 4th. Let that which torments others, make your 
happiness—I mean self-denial, and renouncing your own 
will. 5th. Be ready to yield with joy, to every conviction 
of the spirit of God. 6th. Be faithful to present ena 
and aspire after a continual growth. 7th. Live the p re 
sent moment to God, and avoid perpléxing yourself abo 
your past or future experience: By giving up. yourself” to 
Christ, as you are, and being willing to receive him no 
as he is, leaving all the rest to him, you will cut up a 
thousand temptations by the roots. Iam, &e. J. F. 


. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 119 


a LETTER XXX. 


"Madeley, March 14th, 1763. 


MISS HATTON. 
Dear Madam, "a 


I am yery glad you persist in taking up your cross, and 
following the captain of our salvation. You must expect 
many a difficulty: Some of your greatest trials may come 
from your dearest friends without, and your nearest part 
within. I always found it profitable to expect the worst, 
for a temptation foreseen is half overcome. Let us count 
the cost daily, and learn to value all outward things as 
dung and dross, that we may win Christ. 

My heart is at present full of an advice, which I have 
just given, with some success, to the Israelites in the wil- 
derness, about this place: “ Spend, im feeling after Christ, 
by the prayer of such faith as you have, whether it be 
dark or luminous, the time you have hitherto spent in 
desponding thoughts, in perplexing considerations upon 
the badness, or uncertainty of your state, and come now 
to the Lord Jesus with your present wants, daring to be- 
lieve that he waits to be gracious to you.”? Christ is the 
way, the highway to the Father, and an highway is as 
free for a sickly beggar as a glorious prince. If it is sug- 
gested, “you are too presumptuous to intrude without 
ceremony upon Him, that is glorious in holiness, and fear- 
ful in praises; answer, in looking up to Jesus. 

“ Be it I myself deceive, 
Yet I must, I must believe.” : 

Mr. M—d—’s reply to Mr. Wesley’s answer seems to 
me just in some points, and in others too severe. Mr. 
Wesley, is, perhaps, too tenacious of some expressions, 
and too prone to credit what he wishes concerning some 
_ mistaken witnesses of the state of fathers in Christ. Mr. 
_ M—-, perhaps, esteems too little the inestimable privi- 
| lege of being perfected in that love, which casts out fear : 
_ But, in general, I conceive, if I do not presume of myself 


- 


120 FAMILIAR LETTERS. q 


in answering your question, that it would be better for 
babes, or young men in C > ery for a growth in 
grace, than to dispute whether, athers in Christ enjoy such 
er such privileges. I am, with sincerity, &. J. F. 


LETTER XXXI. _ 
Madeley, April 22d, 1763. 
MR. SAMUEL HATTON. a 
Dear Sir, 

I am glad to find, by your welcome letter, that oo i 
still precious to you. O may he be so an hundred fold 
more both to me and you! May we live only to shew 
forth his praise, and grow up into him in all things! 

As for me, I have reason to praise God that 3 ‘ive 


and enclose a multitude of sinners. ‘The hope of this beat a 

me up above the toils of a night of ignorance, perplexity, 
and trials of every sort. I find, blessed be God, that all 
things work together, for my good, whether it be success, 
or want of success, joy or grief, sickness or ease, bad or 
good report: all encourages or humbles me. 

With respect to Miss Hattons, I hope they will call no 
man upon earth master, and that they will steer clear of 
the rocks of prejudice and bigotry, against which so many 
professors split daily, even when they think they are at the 
greatest distance from them. e 

I am quite of your opinion about the mischief that some 
professors (puffed up in their own fleshly minds, ) do in 
the church of Christ under the mask of sanctity ; but my 
Master bids me bear with the tares until the harvest, lest 
in rooting them up, I should promiscuously pull up the 
wheat also. As to Mr. Wesley’s syste of perfection, it 
tends rather to promote humility than e, if I ma 
credit his description of it, in the ing : 


— i Na 7 4 a or ‘ a 
-.” 


wAMILI AR LETTERS. ; 121 
<h* Now let: me » gain perfection’s height, 
> Now tet me into nothing fall, 
eh Be less than nothing in my sight, 
ees And feel that Christ is all in all.” 


More than this Ido not desire, and I hope that, short ii 
‘of this, nothing will satisfy either my dear friend or me. 

With respect to one Mr. B——n, having been so bold 
as to assert in your ‘room, that our salvation was condi- 
tional,” he may be orthodox enough, in my poor. judg- 
ment, although he said so. “Indeed the meritorious part 
of our salvation is unconditional on our side, and if Mr. 
B n talks of meritorious conditions, ke is a stranger 
to the gospel: But, that the application of this salvation 
is conditional, I gather from every doctrinal chapter in 
the bible, especially from Luke xiii. 3. and Mark xvi 16. 

Have you drank in the doctrine of particular redemp- 
tion, contrary to. the thoughts of your esteemed friend, 
Count 21? But be that as it will, let us still make 
the best of) onr way to the -dear Saviour, and drop all our 
particular opinions in his universal, unbounded love : and 
whereinsoever any of us is wrong the Lord will reveal it 
unto us. Pray for my flock ; and pray for, dear sir, your 
sincere friend, and affectionate brotherin Christ, J. F. 


LETTER XXXII. 
Madeley, July 26th, a 


THE REY. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 


My Dear Sir, 
&é HAvs for two months waited impatiently new some 
news of you—but ia vain, Are you alive—paralytick— 

gouty—slothful—or too busy to write a line to your friends 
at Madeley : ? If you have not leisure to write a line, write 
a word—I am well, or Tam_ ‘ilk: God grant it may be the 
former | « 
ee 7 

‘ | x 


~ me quit Madeley, and, I praise God, I am ready to ¢ do | 


r 


122 . FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Every thing is pretty quiet here now. ei ft 
offences die away ; though not long ago, I J trials 
pene, but blessed be the Lord he gave m 


of my late trials might have had consequences to mak 
without looking behind me, even thisday. The ye u 
person I mentioned, as being sorely tempted of the devil, 
is happily delivered ; and we have had the testimonies oi 
Mr. Mould who preached here three weeks ago, and | 
Mr. R » who spent four days here, and preached lez 
Sunday. He is an excellent young man, and only want 
a little of the Methodist zeal to Pane the reserve of 
Mr. W. ] 

‘When will you come to Madeley ? ? What do you do at 
London? Have you repaired the breach, and heale 
plague ? May the Lord give you all the wisdom, the 
tience, the zeal, the gentleness, and the health-you sta 


inneed of! Ask them for your poor brother,» J. F. 7 
eed 9g _ 
LETTER XXXUL) : 
Madeley, August 3, 1763. 
MISS HATTON.| . 
Madam, . ‘ 


I am heartily glad to find by the contents of your letter 
that your heart is more set upon obtaining the one thi 
needful, Christ in us, with all his graces, the hope of glory 
I beg, in my master’s name, you would cherish the con 
viction of the need of this prize of your, high calling, 
pursue it in the new and living way in which the fat 
trod, that of the cross, and that of faith. We'travel in th 
first, by continually denying self, in the ¢ ire of the fle : 
and the desire of the eye, and the pride life; and 
advance in the second, by aiming a a clai 
Christ, ene <a 


Pee | 
~ rejoicing 


“FAMILIAR LETTERS. 123 


Christ received in the But, through the- channel of the 
gospel promises. To be able to go on in the way of the 
eross and that of faith, you stand in need, Madam, of much 
recollection and steady watchfulness.over the workings of 
your own heart, and diligent attention to the whispers of 
divine grace. That the Lord would powerfully enable us 
to run on with faith and patience, till we inherit the pro- 
mises, is the prayer of, Madam, your servant in — 


LETTER XXXIV. 
Madeley, August 19th, 1763. 


MISS HATTON. 
Madam, 

Mas. Harton gave me, this morning, your serious let- 
ter. You wisely observe therein, the continual need pro- 
fessing Christians have to guard against religious chit chat, 
and conclude by requesting a few lines, when I should 
have an opportunity of writing ; but as there is nothing in 
your letter which requires an answer, I was thinking, 
whether I could answer it without being guilty of religious 
chit chat; for as there is such a thing in speaking, no 
doubt in writing also. I believe I should have sacrificed 
to conscience what the world calls good manners, had I 
not just after accidentally opened Lopez’s Life upon the 
following passage, which I shall transcribe, hoping it will 
be blessed both» to the reader and copier. ‘He was as 
sparing of words in writing, as in speaking. He never 
wrote first to any one, nor did he answer others, but 
when necessity or charity obliged him to it; and then so 
precisely, and in so few words, that nothing could be re- 
trenched. T have several of his letters in my hands of five 
or six lines each. In answer to those he had received 
irom the Viceroy of Mexico, , he sent him one containing 
pally these words— I wilde: whet you command me: 


. 
o% ee 


ey. 


) 


_. Now, madam, for fear of er flue 
T shall conclude by wishiag arte Mg In may | fe 


124 _ Pease — 


and although ‘this manner of writing m 
spectful te persons. of so high vate he 
from one, who ¥ was so far fromvall 
never spoke any thing sup 


Lopez, as he followed Christ. and. subscribing » yse 
aii the ready servant of ities eprinthe gospe 
J. F. 


ae gh 
LETTER XXXV. a 
‘ Madeley, =, Za 
MISS HATTON: 5 © 
My Dear Friend in the Lord, =, ‘he 


_ I raovcur last Sunday that you were not far fr 
kingdom of God: had your wisdom stooped a little m 
to the foolishness of the cross, you would have been thie li 
tle child to whom God reveals what he justly hides fromm 
the wise and prudent. I longed to have followed you 
and given you no rest till you had drunk the eup of bless 
ing, which your Lord hath Rope eeprk bitter 
tears, and most precious blood. And how glad was I 

find, last night, that you had no aversion to Jesus and his 
love, nor to the simple, foolish way of entertainix 
him in your heart, as you can by ‘mere faith. Howe often, | 
since, has my heart danced for joy, in hope hat the time 
is come, that the Lord will fully opem yout 
of Lydia, to attend, without ca 
still, small voice—“ T am thi 


graven ‘thy name, (i. e. Fis. oe é 
hands. I shail’see in thee the travail o n 
be satisfied. wy me not bebe thee 


a ono ae 
" a 


FAMILIAR LE'TTERS. 125 


justification. Say not, I must ascend into heaven, or de- 
seend into the deep—I must feel first such a height of joy © 
or depth of sorrow; no: believe simply that the word is 
nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart; namely, the 
word of faith preached unto thee. I am the Lamb of God ; 
I have carried away thy sins, and I do not condemn thee, 
though thou condemnest thyself. I am he that, for mine 
own’ sake, blotteth out thy sins as a cloud, and thy iniqui- 
ties as a thick cloud; because will have mercy on whom 
I shall have mercy ; namely, on him, who will be saved in 
my way, ‘by that faith which stumbles the Jew, and is 
foolishness to the Greek, but which will prove to thee both 
the wisdom and powerof God. Fear not then, O thou of. 
little faith; wherefore shouldst thou doubt any longer? 
Do I despise the day of small things? Do I break the 
bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax? Am not “I the 
good shepherd, who carrieth the lambs in his bosom ?_ Does 
a mother forsake her sucking child, because it is weak, 
sickly, unable to walk, or even to stand? Yea, though a 
mother should so forsake her child, yet will I never leave 
thee nor forsake thee. Only lean on thy beloved, and J 
will bring thee up out of the wilderness: Abandon thy- 
self wholly to my care, and I, the Keeper of Israel, will 
care for thee ; and thy business shall be henceforth to re- 
pose on my bosom, and wash thee in my bleeding heart; 
and my business shall be to carry thee safe through, or 
above all thy enemies. Only remember, thy business is 
to believe and love; and trust me for a faithful discharge 
of mine—to save thee with a high hand.” 

Thus, my friend, will your dear Saviour speak to your 
heart, if you do not drown his voice by the objections of 
your false wisdom. © down with it; it is the fruit of the 

-tree of death. Away to the tree of life, take freely, eat 

b Ad live. I know you are willing through grace ; and 

: who hath made you willing, is ten thousand times 

/ more willing ‘than you: how, then, ean he cast you out t 
” u 2 mn 


a - “ ¥ 


126 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


What hinders but that you should, as a 4 


say, “ Now and ever, I will have that man?” ¥ 
upon a sure bottom, you need not fear being slighted 5 
in the letter he hath wrote you from heaven, call 
to the marriage, he says, “ I»have lige Sn to 
with everlasting,” yea, with bleeding kindness. 
indeed, he sends me to you, to assure you,he i is shes same 
yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and were you the si 
“ef Magdalen in outward wickedness, hesends you wor 
that you may kiss his feet, and rejoice that much is for. 
given you, even though you should.not have one tear 
wash them with—his blood, his precious blood, hath was! 
his feet, and does wash your heart, and: will wash it white 
as snow. O let it be your business to consider it witha 
believing thought: that is the way, to apply it-to your 
heart. . ar 
I would have called on you this morning, had not my 
intended journey prevented it: till I have an opportunity 
of calling, I beg, as upon my knees, you would make use 
of the following directions, which I think:as truly applica~ 
ble.to your state, as they are. truly evangelical. a 
ist. It is better perishing for believing wrong, than for 
not believing at all:» venture, then, with Esther, If 
perish, I perish. I had/rather perish in trying:-to touch 
the sceptre of grace, than ninco waiting till the king 
touches me with it. _ , 
2d. Christ often reveals himself as a ae a feeble in« 
fant, crying for milk in a ge es jot you despise 
him in his lowest, weakest state: do not say to your 
Saviour, I will not receive thee,tunless thou appear in a 
blaze of glorious light. Reject not the little leayen ; and 
_ if your grain of faith is small as mustard seed, be the 
more careful not to throw it away as dirt. The Holy 
Ghost says, “The light of the just : re and moré 
to the perfect day ”—and how feeble is the li ) 


early morning, how undiscernible from dark 
. bd 
Rs 3 fod 


3 i ee a ak. 


cs) Ae oe” aw | oe al 
7 w ' 
"ye + x ve = 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 127 


3d. Sin gives you your first title to the friend of sinners, “ 


and a simple, naked faith the second. Do not then, puz- 
ale yourself about contrition, faithfulness, love; joy, power 
ever sin, and a thousand such things, which the white 
devil will persuade you, you must bring to Christ. He wilt 
receive you gladly with the greatest mountain of sin; and 
the smallest grain of faith, at Christ’s feet, will remove 
that mountain. 

4th. ‘At the peril of your soul, desire, at tat neither 
peace nor joy, nor puzzle yourself even about love. Only 
desire, that that blessed man. may be your bridegroom, 
and that you may firmly believe that he is so, because he 
hath given you his flesh and blood upon the cross ; me 
keep believing this, and trusting in him. 


5th. You have nothing to do with sin and self, Sse 


they will have much to do with you. Your business is 
with Jesus, with his free, unmerited love, with his glorious 
promises, &c. &c. 

6th. Strongly expect no good from your own heart— 
expect nothing but unbelief, hardness, unfaithfulness, and 
back-sliding, and when you find them there, be not 
shaken nor discomposed ; rather rejoice that you are to 
live, by faith, on the faithful heart of Christ, and cast not 


- away your confidence, which hath great recompense of 
_ reward. 


7th. When. you are dulland heavy, as will often be, 
remember to live on Christ, and claim him the more by 


naked faith. I have not time to say more, but Jesus, 


whom you hold by the hem of his promise, will teach 


you alk the day long. _ Look unto him and be saved; and 


remember he forgives seventy times seven inone day. May _ 


_ his dawning love attend you till itis noon day in your soul; 


and pray for him, who earnestly prays for you, T mean 


| mg unworthy La ace ) pgs 
as pee fiiy 4 
f ah ¥ ho 
. . ‘" 


ut aM aclu CC eh p a 
y 128 a, - os ; 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Oe ae: WSS 
LETTER XXXVI. , 
Madeley, Sept. 2, 1763. 
MRS. OTN : . al * 
Dear Madam,~ | soem . Dae teh 


J HANK you for your good isondibialaera and oows 
wishes that I might eat the everlasting bread of our 
Father’s house, expressed by a present of the most in- 
coyruptible bread our earth affords. Ishould be gled to 
take the opportunity of Mr. Wesley’s SapteePnlop; to 
thank you in person, and eat with you the bread—the un- 
leavened bread of sincerity and truth, handed out by himy 
but I am obliged to set out to-day for Lady Hunting- 
don’s college, and shall not, I sa be in Shropshire, when 
Mr. “Wesley comes. 

If the Father of Lights hath drawn your soul in any 
warmer desires after the glorious sense of his love, and 
enabled you to sit down, and count the cost, and give up 
fully, whatever may have a tendency to keep you out of 
the delightful enjoyment of the pearl of great price, I shall 


" rejoice greatly; for it is my hearty desire ‘that all my 


christian friends, and I, might grow up’ a towards Sg 
the measure of the full stature of Christ. 
~I return. you my most affectionate thanks, madam, for 
your book, and for the franks you added to it. May you 
use all the promises of the gospel as franks, from Jesus, to 
send momentary petitions to heaven, and may an unweas 
ried faith be the diligent messenger! 9 
What proved a disappointment you, was none to. 
me, having been forced, by many such dis ointments, 
to look for comfort in- nothing but these comprehensive 
words—“ Thy will be done!” A few more trials will con- 
vince, you, experimentally, of the heavenly balm they 
éontain to sweeten the pains and heal the wounds, that 
érosses and afflictions may cause. BF often impro 


ttore by an hour’s smarts 5 than 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. : 120 


and when we can exercise neither gifts nor graces, one of 
the last is always excepted—Patience; which is then 
worth all the rest. O let us make the best of -our day, 
madam :—a day of grace—a gospel day—a day of health 
—a precarious day of life! Let us believe, hope, love, 
obey, repent, spend and be pent for ‘acy who hath loved 
us unto death. 

Mr. M. said your wiltcscitecal would go to-day; but 
whether it goes or stays, let neither wind nor tide keep us 
back from Jesus Christ. . That his love may fill our hearts, 
is the repeated wish of, dear madam,. your unworthy 
friend and servant.in Christ, IF. 


- 
Eau 


—_—— 


LETTER XXXVII. 
a Madeley, September 9th, 1763. 
REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
“My Dear Sir, 

I sex that we ought to learn continually to cast our 
burdens on the Lord, who alone can bear them without 
fatigue and pain. If M returns, the Lord may cor- 
rect his errors, and give him so to insist on the fruits of 
faith ato prevent antinomianism. I believe him sincere ; 
and though obstinate and suspicious, I am persuaded he has 
a true desire, to know the will and live the life of God. I 
reply in the same words you-quoted to me in one of your 
letters, “ Don’t be afraid of a wreck, for Jesus is in the 
ship.” After the most violent storm, the Lord will, per- 
haps, all at once, bring our ship into the desired haven ! 

You ask me a very singular question with respect to. 
women; I shall, however, answer it with a smile, as I 
suppose you asked it. You might have remarked, that 
for some days before I set off for Madeley, I considered 
matrimony with a different eye to what I had done: and 
the | erson who then presented herself to my imagination, 
was Miss Bosanquet. Her image pursued me for some 


Su, saree: 
Sas 


130 ; FAMILIAR LETTERS. % 


hours the last day, and that so warmly, that Tshould, per 
haps, have lost my peace, if a suspicion of the truth of 
Juvenal’s proverb, “Veniunt a dote sagittee,” had 
made me blush, fight, and fly td Fei, who delivered me, 
at the same moment, from her image and the idea of 
marriage.. Since that time, I have been more than ¢ 
on my guard against admitting the idea of 
sometimes by the consideration of the love of Jesus, 
ought to be my whole felicity, and persecute follo 
ing reflections. 

It is true the scripture says, that a good wife is “ sito 
the Lord, and it is also true, that there may be one in 
thousand ; but who would put in a lottery where are nin 
hundred and ninety nine blanks to one prize; and sup- 
pose I could discover this Phoenix, this woman of a thou-— 
sand, what should I gain by it? A distressing , ie 
How could she chuse such a man as me? If, notwithstand 
ing all my self-love, I am compelled cordially to despise 
myself, could I be so wanting in generosity, as to expect 
another to do that for me, which I cannot do for ioe 
-~=—~to engage to love, to esteem, and honour me? 

I will throw on my paper some reflections, which th 
last paragraphs of your letter gave rise to, and I beg you 
will weigh them with me, in the balances of the sanctuary. 


a 
Reasons for, and against Matrimony. ; 


. A tender friendship is, af- 1. Death will shortly end all — 
ter the love of Christ, the particular friendships: the — 
greatest felicity of life,and happier the state of mar- 

a happy marriage is no- riage, them icting is 
thing but sucha friendship widowhood *—hesides, ° we © 
between two persons of dif- may try a friend and ‘reject ’ 
ferent sexes. 7 _ himaftertrial; but we can’t” 
know a Wife, till it i 
Jate to pi ‘with her. = 


—— tC 
j oa Fs £ 
~ RS ay - p 


©. fo 


Vim 4 a =~ ae 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 134 


d A wife might deliver me 2. Marriage brings after it 


from the difficulties of 
house-keeping, &c. 


3. Some objections and scan- 3 
. dals may be avoided by 
marriage. 


an hundred cares and ex- 
penses ;. children, a fami- 
“if &e. & 

. If matrimony is not hap- 
py, it is the most fertile 
source of scandals. 


4. A pious and zealous wife 4. Lhave 1000 to 1 to fear, 


might be as useful as my- 


self; nay, she might be 
muth mare so among my 
female parishioners, who 
greatly wantan inspectress. 


that a wife, instead of be- 


ing a help, may be indolent, 
and consequently useless ; 
or humoursome, caprici- 
ous, haughty, and conse- 


quently a heavy curse. 
Farewell. ' Yours, J... Pt 


LETTER XXXVIII. 
MR. VAUGHAN. 


BS 


Dear Sir, 


As you desire me to tell, you simply what I think of the | 


state of your soul, as described in your letter, I will ge it 

as the Lord shall enable me. 
fig praise him that he has begun a good work in you, 
: which; I make no doubt, he will finish, if you do not 

counteract the operations of his grace. Your having 
sometimes free access to the throne of grace, but soon 
falling back into deadness and darkness, is the common 
_ experience of many, who walk sincerely, though slowly, 
towards Sion. It argues, on one side, the drawings of 
' faith ; and, on the other, the powerjof unbelief. I would 
‘compare such souls to the child of the Patriarch, who 
| | gpame to the birth, nay, saw the light of this world, and 
ayet n returned again into his mother’s womb, until after a 
: struggle, he broke through all that was in his way, 
the place where he had been so long in prison. 


*. Syre 
Pin 


Pig ee 


ar 


“wa 


_——_— > oat 4 Bice Aly 


_ meet the dearest friend- you ever had; cast ai 


132 | FAMILIAR vera 


If you fall short, yet be not the contr: 
rejoice, that God has begun, ond wil fabs his work 
you; and strive more earnestly to. enter in at the 
gate. Watch more unto prayer, and pray for that faith, 
which enables the believer now to lay hold on eternal li 
Remember, however, that your. prayers will not a 
much, unless you deny yourself, and take up ee 
which the Lord suffers men, devils, or your own lent, _ 

dy upon you.. In the name of Jesus;: and @ power 

of his might, break through all 5, and you wi id daily 

more and more, that Jesus is the light of th 

that he, who follows him, shall not eth in’ darkness. 

The peace of Jesus be with you! Farewell. Yours, . “7 
ee 


c 


ral al 


LETTER XXXIX. — 
Madeley, March 5th, 1764. 
MISS HATTON. __ : 
You seem, Madam, not to have a clear idea of the 
happiness of the love of Jesus, or, at least, of your privi- 
lege of loving him again. Your dulness in private prayer 
arises from the want of familiar friendship with Jesus 


To obviate it, go to your closet, as if you ‘were going to 


mediately at his feet, bemoan your coldness before him, 
extol his love to you, and let your heart break with a a1 
sire to love him, till it actually melts with his love. 

you, if not the importunate widow, at least the impo ate 


virgin, and get your Lord to avenge pe, - adver- 
sary—I mean your cold heart. a? 


You ask me some ditechtas ‘to. a 
in order to get it, get Recollection. oie in 
Recollection. is a _ dwelling within: ourse! 


Recollection is a outward and iol du 
recollection ee in silence from all idle and superfit 


Se os. ae ‘ . re 


A ne ee 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 133 


ots words; and in solitude or a-wise disentanglement from 
the world, keeping to ‘our own business, observing and 
following the order of God for ourselves, and shutting the 
ear against all curious and unprofitable matters. Inward 
recollection consists, in shutting the door of the senses, in 
a deep attention to the presence of God, and in a contin- 
ual care of entertaining holy thoughts, for fear of spiritual 
idjeness. _ 

Through the power of the spirit, let this recollection be 
steady even in the midst of hurrying business; let it be 
calm and peaceable; and let it be lasting. “ Watch and 
pray, lest you enter into temptation.” 

To maintain this recollection, beware of engaging too 


deeply, and beyond what is necessary, in outward things: | 


beware of suffering your affections to be entangled by 
worldly desires, your imagination to amuse itself with un- 
profitable objects, and indulging yourself in commission of 
what are called small faults. 

For want of continuing in a recollected frame all the 
day, our times of prayer are frequently dry and useless, 
imagination prevails, and the heart wanders; whereas we 
pass easily from recollection to delightful prayer. With- 
out this spirit, there can be no useful self-denial ; nor can 
we know ourselves ; but where it dwells, it makes the soul 
all eye, all ear; traces and discovers sin, repels its first 
assaults, or crushes it in its earliest risings. 

In recollection let your mind act according to the draw- 
ings of grace, and it will probably lead you, either to conr 
template Jesus as crucified, and interceding for you, &c. 
or to watch your senses and suppress your passions, to. 
keep before God in respectful silence of heart, and to 
watch and follow the motions of grace, and feed on the 

MISES, 
ake care here, to be mére taken up with the thoughts 
| than of yourself; and consider how hardly recol- 


134 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Use no forced labour to raise a particular frame 
fret, and grow impatient, if you have no cal 
meekly acquiesce and confess yourself unworthy 0 
lie prostrate in humble submission before God, a 
tiently wait for the smiles of Jesus. — le 
May the following Motives stir you up to the. pursuit ¢ 
recollection : 1st. We must forsake all and die to all 
by recollection. 2d. Without it God’s voice can’t 
heard in the soul. 3d. It is the altar, on which we m 
offer up our Isaacs. 4th. It is instrumentally a lad 
(if I may be allowed the expression) to ascend in into G 
5th. By it the soul gets to its centre, out of which it cann 
rest. 6th. Man’s soul is the temple of God—recollecti 
the holy of holies. 7th. As the wicked, by recollecti 
find hell in their hearts, so faithful souls find heaven.— 
8th. Without recollection all means of grace are > uselesiay 
or make but a light and transitory impression. y 
If we would be recollected, we must expect to suffer. 
Sometimes God does not anil immediately to the heart; 
we must, then, continue to listen with a more humble 
silence. Somtimes assaults of the heart, or of the temper 
may follow, together with weariness, and a desire te, tur 
the mind to something else : here we must be patien —by 
patience unwearied we inherit the premise, - . 
Dissipated souls are severely punished. Tf a any a 


senses. He dries up, and a barrenness hot e use 
of the means. The world and Satan gather and use hi 
for their service. He is cast into the fire of the | hae 
of guilt, of temptation, and, perhaps, of hell. oly 
ys dissipation always meets its punishment, So rece 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 135 


places alike, and is the habitation where Christ and his 
Bride dwell. 

“T give you these hints, not to set Christ aside, but that 
you may, according to the light and power given to you, 
take those stones and place them upon the chief corner 
stone, and cement them with the blood of Jesus, until 

_ the superstructure, in some measure, answers to the ex- 
cellence of the foundation. I beg an interest in your 
prayers, for myself, and those committed to my charge, 
and am, with sincerity, Madam, your servant for Christ’s 
sake, J.F. 


LETTER XL. 
Madeley, September 3d, 1764. 


MISS HATTON. 
Madam, 

I rurn« the state your soul is in, is not uncommon.— 
_ The only advice I can at present give, is not to look to 
| self, except it be to believe it away. Be generously de- 
termined not to live easy, without the thought of Jesus on 
: your mind, and his love, or at least endeavours after it, in 
your heart. Then get tl:at love, or the increase of it, by 
: obstinately believing the love of Christ to you, till you are 
_ashamed into some return of it. A passage I have fouud 
much relief from, when my soul hath been in the state you 
describe, is, “ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be 
dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord.*” This oes by faith, I find, is 
not reckoning without one’s host; but Christ is always 
ready to set his hand to the bill which faith draws. 
With respect to the hindrances your worldly business 
s in the way of your soul, I would have you persuaded, 
dl it they are by no means insurmountable.. The follow- 


| = eo 8 
| na 
te : . *Rom. vi. 11. 


er ha 


136 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


ing means, in due subordination to faith in Jesus, mays by 
the blessing of God, be of service to you. ‘ 

Ist. Get up early, and save time before you go to beh: 
ness, to put on the whole armour of God, by close medi- 
tation and earnest prayer. 

2d. Consider the temptation that most easily besets you, 
whether it be hurry, or vanity, or lightness, or want of 
recollection to do what you do as unto God. Ponder the 
consequences of those sins, see your weakness to resi 
them, and get at any rate a more feeling sense of y u 
helplessness ; when you have it, you will naturally wat 
unto prayer, and look to Christ for strength, from mome 
to moment. 

3d. When your mind hath been drawn aside, do not 
fret, or let yourself go down the stream of nature, as if it 
was in vain to attempt to swim against it; but confess 
your fault, and calmly resume your former endeavour, but 
with more humility and watchfulness. . : 

4th. Steal from business now and then, though for a 
er three minutes only, and in the corner where you can 
be least observed, pour out your soul in confession, or a 
short ejaculation at the feet of Jesus, for power to watch, 
and to believe that he can keep you watching. May y 
feelingly believe, that he hath bought the power for yc 
and then of a truth, you will find it done to you acco 
ing to your faith. ‘ f ; 

As to your correspondent’s letter, I approve its con- 
tents, but would have no one depend on my ie 
especially on the points it treats of, as I have been thought, 
sometimes, to consider them, with a mind prepossessed in 
their behalf. This, I know, that all cannot, ought not to 
receive some of the sayings that letter contains; and 
happier far in my opinion, are those that can’ and dc 
receive them. Let every one follow graee and Providenee, 
and we shall be guided aright. I am, &e. ne A 


.% 
° , 


n- 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 137 


aide LETTER XLI. 
. Madeley, December ——, 1764. 
MISS HATTON. 
= 


I am sensible how much I want advice in a thousand 
particulars, and how incapable I am safely to direct any 
one: and I shali, nevertheless, venture to throw upon 
this sheet the following observations, as they come to my 
mind on reading your letter. 

You_ cannot expect on the gospel plan, to attain to 
such a carriage as will please all you converse with.— 
The Son of God, the original of all human perfection, 
was blamed sometimes for his silence, and sometimes 
for his speaking, &c. and shall the handmaid be above 
her Master? 

‘There is no sin in wearing such things as you haye 
by you, if they are not out of character; I mean, if 
they are necessary for your station, and characterise your 
rank. 

There is no sin in allowing yourself a little more lati- 
tude of speech, provided you listen to Christ, by inward 
attention to his teaching, and the end of what you say may 
be to introduce what is useful and edifying; for God 
judgeth of words according to the intention of the speaker. 
I may speak idly even in the pulpit; and I may speak to 
edification in the market, if what I say is either necessary 
or proper to introduce, or drive the nail of a profitable 
truth.. Some parables of our Lord would have been deem- 
ed idle talk, had it not have been for the end he pursued, 
and, upon the whole, accomplished by them. Ne particu- 
Jar rule can be given here; a thousand circumstances of 
persons, tempers, places, times, states, &c. will necessarily 
vary. a christian’s plan. 

_. There is no sin in looking cheerful : : No, it is our duty 
to be eheetial—Rejoice evermore ;_ and if it is our duty 
Mu 2 


3138 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


always to be filled with joy, it is our duty to appear what 
we are in reality. I hope, however, your friends know 
how to distinguish between cheerfulness and levity. 

If you want to recommend religion to those you con- 
verse with, and, in many instances, to pluck up offence 
by the root, let your heart lie where Mary’s body did. 
Keep close to Jesus, be attentive to his still, small voi 
and he will fill you with humble love, and such love 
teach you, without any rule, as by the instinct of your new 
nature, “to become all things to all men.” 

You ask what the apostle meant by that expression: it 
is certain he did not mean to overset his own precept, 
“ Be not conformed to the world.” I apprehend that, im 
every case, wherein we might promote the spiritual or 
temporal good of any one, by doing or suffering things of 
an indifferent nature, or even painful and disagreeable to 
us, we ought to be-geady to become all things to all; pro- 
vided the good wé:propose is superior to the inconveni+) 
ences to which we submit. Here, also, we stand in need 
of humble love, and meek wisdom, that we may so weigh 
circumstances, as to form a right judgment in all things. 

I am glad the Lord strips you: FT wish self may never 
clothe you again. Beware of stiff singularity in thi 
barely indifferent: it is self in disguise ; and it is so m 
the more dangerous, as it comes recommended by a seri- 
ous, self-denying, religious appearance. . 

I hope the short comings of some about you will not 
prevent your eyeing the prize of a glorious conformity to 
our blessed Head. It is to be feared, that not a few, 
those, who talk of having attained it, have mis 
way; they are still something, and I apprelier an it 
tant step towards that conformity, is to become nothi 
or rather, to be with St. Panl, to become in our 
_ the chief of sinners, and the least of saints: 
Mr. Harris seems to me one among 2 


: 
hee Ick = paricalar eng ba ah i Po 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 139 


The God of peace give us all the blessings that the Mes- 
senger and the Mediator of the New Covenant brought 
with him, at this time, into the world! May we so receive 
him, that by a blessed exchange, as he is clad with our 
flesh, so we may put on him, and be covered with his 
righteousness and filled with his Spirit |. Salute the church 
in your house from your servant in the gospel. J. F. 


LETTER XLIL. 
Madeley, January 31st, 1765. 
MISS HATTON. ' 
Madam, 

“You strive, pray, resist, but are little the better ;” yet 
pray, strive and resist on. It is good to be tried, and to geta 
blessing in the very fire: we shall then aa how to 
value it properly. But let me be free with you, madam ; 
do you pray, resist, and strive against wanderings with 
any steadiness, and do you do it in cheerful hope to over- 
come through the blood’of the Lamb? When you have 
been unhinged from Christ, in mind or heart, do you with 
stronger indignation against wanderings, a calmer ex- 
pectation of the assistance of the Spirit, and a deeper 
agony of faith, seek to be avenged of your adversary ? 
Do you imitate the importunate widow? If this be the 
case, you will not complain long ; for whatsoever we thus 
ask in the name of Christ, we shall surely receive: And 

should the Lord, for reasons best known to himself, try 

your faith and hope; yet that longer triaf will be found 

to praise and honour, in the end. Only faint not; and 

when you find yourself inclined to do so, in all haste fly te 

the cordial of the promises, arid determine to take nothing 
| else, till your heart is revived and made strong again. 

The same power of God, through praying faith, is ne- 

“ eessary to keep you from reasoning unprofitably. When- 

_ ever this arises to any height, there is one thing wanting, a 


ii 


1490 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


steadily exerted will, never thus to reason. We cannot be 
so easily betrayed, or slide away into this snare of the 
devil so easily as into the other. I apprehend, that who- 
soever abides steadily purposed not to réason, shall not 
do it. "The will starts aside first, the resolution of course” 
followeth, and the tempter easily takes their place. Get 
willing, truly willing, under the cross, and keep there < 
keep your will, or you will beat the air. 

Last Sunday I preached two sermons upon Heb. xi, 1. 
I see so much in that faith of the apostle, that I can 
hardly pray for any thing besides “that evidence a 
things not seen, that substance of things hoped for.” Te 
how many mistakes, and fatal errors haye we opened the” 
door, by varying from the apostle, and pretending to 
wiser than the Holy Ghost! The Lord fill you and veal 
with that faith. Farewell. Ja F.@ 


— ¥ 
LETTER XL. * 
Madeley, June 2d, 1765. 


MISS HATTON. 


Madam, 

I rHank you for the letter of your corresponde 
What he says about luminous joy, may sometimes be the | 
case of some of God’s dear children ; but I fore 
that God’s design in withholdmg from nn those graci 
influences, which work upon and melt the sensitive, aff 
tionate part in the soul, is to put us more upon using the 
nobler powers, the understanding and the will. . These are 
always more in the reach ofa child of God, while the others 
greatly depend upon the texture of the animal frame; a’ 
if they are not stirred in a natural way, the Spirit of 
¢an alone, without our concurrence in general, excite 
Do you believe, love, take up your cross, and run 
Jesus? 


FAMILIAR LETTERS, {Al 


You must let friends and foes talk about your dress, 
while you mind only Jesus, his word, and yeur own con- 
science. You talk of hearing me soon—I dare never in- 
vite any one to hear me, though I am glad to see my friends : 
but now I can invite you with pleasure to come and hear 
a preacher, who, under God, will make you amends for the 
trouble of a journey to Madeley. His name is M 3 
he may possibly stay a Sunday or two more with me; but 
Jesus has promised to be always with his poor followers, 
‘To his merciful hands, I commend both you and your un- 
worthy friend, . arr 

— 
LETTER XLIV. 
Madeley, August 8th, 1765. 
MISS HATTON. 
Madam, - 

Mr. M—— and I have considered your objections ta 
our little confession of faith; be pleased to take the fol- 
lowing short answer : 

lst. We do not forget, that God works all good in all 
men; this is clearly implied in :our first article; but we 
do not believe, that his working is generally irresistible, or 
that it supercedes our being workers together with him. 

2d. Can any one work out his salvation, by a faith pro- 
ductive of sanctification, and yet neglect good works? Im- 
possible ! 

3d. Obdurate sinners, if their day of grace is not over, 
have always power to believe séme legal truths at least, 
and to renounce some abominations in consequence of that 
belief: if they resist the Spirit here, what wonder that he 
does not proceed any farther ! Convictions of sin, as well 
as of righteousness, are not always so strong as to carry 
all before them. As the dew falls more frequently on the 
earth, than hard showers, so more gentle, less observable, 
and more gradual droppings of grace descend upon earthly 


Wi! 7" 
142 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


hearts, more frequently than driving storms of feary or 
strong transports of love : their effécts may be as u 
though less forcible, and God _ all the ‘ela « of the ° 
as well as of the other. o | 
4th. “Can convinced sinners, under the sound of the 
gospel, believe with the heart, &c.?” Through the power 
of God, always more or less present, they can believe wii 
the heart, those truths, which are suited to their wants and 
properly proposed to them. If they cannot, why does 
God call upon them to believe, and send them word, the 
they shall be damned if they do not?* As’ to your query 
“Does not God sometimes delay to confer the powert 
believe, for a trial of the grace of conviction?” We an- 
swer, that we see no such thing insthe New Testament, 
and that the assertion seems to be a piece of human wis 
dom. Why were not the convictions of the harlot, of the 
3000, the 5000, the jailer, and others, tried by a aa 


of the gift of faith P If, therefore, persons truly convince 
of sin, do not believe to the comfort of their souls, we ap- 
prehend the reason to be, their being kept in the dark a 
to the gospel way of salvation, their confounding faith ar 
its fruits, their disregarding the one talent, and despisi 
the little leaven, and the faith, which is small as a grain | 
Mustard seed ; in short, their rejecting an inward Chri 
because he does not make his appearance, at first, as 
mighty, glorious conqueror, but as a weak, naked, cryi 
babe, who wants both milk and swans Pores for his 
present sustenance. ¥ 
“It is granted, that convinced peiple shoyld be oral 
to make an effort to believe, not doubting of the Lor 
concurrence ‘with their attempt.” Here, we apprehen 
you grant us what we contend for; it being absurd to] 
make any attempt towards what is totally impossible. 
such people ought to attempt to believe now, and not te 
oe Wii , $ 


Mark xvi, and 16. + Me 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 143 


doubt of the Lord’s concurrence with their attempt, it fol- 
lows, that either you press them not, to doubt of a lie, or 
that the Lord now helps them to believe, if they will ac- 
cept his help in the manner and way it is offered. 

We cannot conceive, what ingredient more you would 
require to make faith, than, on the one side, the promise 
of God and the gracious help of his spirit; and, on the 
other, genuine conviction and an humble attempt to cast 
ourselves on the fidelity, mercy and power of the Lord. 

Indeed, you insinuate, that God’s concurrence may not 
be granted now—“ perhaps not now,” are your words ; 
but not those of Ananias, who said to convince Saul, 
“ Arise, why tarriest thou ? wash away thy sins, calling, 
or believing, on the name of the Lord.” If God does not» 
concur now to help convinced sinners to believe, we still 
affirm that they cannot, without great cruelty, be called 
upon now to attempt an utter impossibility, or, if we may 
use your expression, “ to touch heaven with their hand.” 
This proviso of yours, this “ perhaps*not now,” seems 
the common way of clogging and mangling the gospel._— 
We see nothing of it in holy writ; there we read, “ be- 
lieve and thou shalt be saved—fear not, only believe,” &c. 

We never read “ believe, but perhaps not now—only be- 
lieve, but first wait God’s time; he does not, perhaps, 
| chuse thou shouldest believe now.”? There is the quintes- 
sence of the poison of the old serpent, in the supposition 
that God commands now, but is not perhaps willing that 
we should obey him now. Believe—perhaps not now: 
| repent, be chaste, be honest, be sober, be charitable—per- 
_haps, not now. Good God! What room will this not 
_now leave for present infidelity, uncleanness, drunken- 
_ ness, injustice, &c. and every imaginable abomination ! 

| Upon second thoughts, we would hope, that your’ “ per- 
haps not now,” does not regard our believing, but God’s 
| bringing forth the top-stone, while-we shout grace unto it: 
_and in this sense, we find. faith and hope are often tried, 


: 


we ae 


144 : FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


yea, to the uttermost. Isaac was not born immediately 
on God’s making the promise, or Abraham’s believing it. 
A joy unspeakable and full of glory does not, always, im- 
mediately accompany the belief of.the promise of forgive- 
ness of sin, and of deliverance from its dominion: “ Have 
ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed’? After that 
ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy spirit of promise 
—Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in 
believing,” &c. This was the language of St. Paul, and 
we dare not confound what he distinguishes, namely, 
“ believing and tasting all the rich fruits of faith.” Con- 
cerning some of these, which faith does not, in general, 
mmediately produce, we allow you, to say perhaps not 
row: but though they tarry, yet wait for them, for they 
will surely come. i 


~ 
“ Restless, resigned, for these I wait, 
For these my vehement soul stands still.” 


But observe, 1st. That' this earnest, patient waiting, is 
one of the blessed fruits of faith, and not something pre- 
vious to it, as you seem toimagine. 2d. That we do not 
suppose it necessary for those, who are truly convinced of 
sin, and desire to be justified freely by the grace of God, 
through that redemption that is in Christ, to wait at a 
before they believe, that he is made unto them of 
righteousness, for the present pardon of their sin : nor fo} 
those, who are truly weary of their carnal mind, to wai 
before they believe, that he is made unto them of God 
sanctification, for the present destruction of it: for 
promise is even now to us, and to our ehildren, (thos@ 
that are afar off not excepted) if they-lay hold of it b 
faith. . But greater discoveries, riper fruits, richer tastes] 
fuller enjoyments of these blessings, together with a being 
more strengthened, established, and settled in th 
what we esteem our privilege to att ar we for, i 
the manner you describe. Heys is ; 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 145 


5th. You seem to suspect that this faith, on the one 
hand, leads to Antinomianism ; and, on the other, takes 
from God the glory of our salvation. 

As to the first suspicion, we hope it is obviated i in our 
second and fourth answers, it being impossible that a faith, 
‘consequent upon real conviction and weariness of sin, and 
begotten by the pure gospel word, through the Spirit—a 
faith, which leads to sanctification and the destruction of 
the carnal mind—a faith, which is productive of all the 
ripest fruits of the spirit, can be merely notional, or have 
the least'tendency to Antinomianism. 

And as to the second, we detest the thought of having 
the least share in the glory of Christ, as our only Redeem- 
er, and of the Spirit, as our only sanctifier. We abhor it 
as much as the proud and mad conceit of sharing with God 
the glory of our Creator and preserver. We constantly 
ascribe to free grace all the honour of man’s salvation, 
and are persuaded, that from the first half-formed desire 
‘aised in the heart, and the least degree of power given for 
the improvement of it, to the final victory over our last 

nemy, all is of grace—of mere grace. But as we may 
sive God all the glory of our creation and preservation, 
jwithout supposing that he must breathe, eat, drink, rest 
dress, plough, and reap for us ; so we apprehend that we 
may give Christ all the glory of our redemption and sal- 
vation, without excusing ourselves from the pérformance 
of what he enjoins, and of his own free and undeserved 
ee, gives us both will and power to do. 
«I rejoice that your soul prospers: you need not look 
ck any more. When you are tempted to hurry and in- 
rd impatience, remember you are not obliged to give 
fay to it. ‘Take up these little crosses patiently, by be- 
eving, looking inward, and finding Jesus in the midst of 
siness. “He is here, he is here, as my all,” will break 
lany, yea ten thousand snares. May the peace of God 
ye with you and yours! Farewell. ork, 
N 


146 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


LETTER XLV. 


MR. ALEXANDER MATHER. 
My Dear Brother, 


I rank you for your last favour. If I answered not 
your former letter, it was. because I was in expectation of 
seeing you, and not from the least disregard. I am glad) 
you enjoy peace at Wellington, and E hope you will do so. 

at the Trench when you go there. . My reasons for step 
ping there myself were not to seize upon the spot first, 
(as the accuser of the brethren may have insinuated) but 
to fulfil a promise I made to the people. of. visiting them, 
if they would not countenance a, lying wretch, who went 
to them from the Bank: all this was previous to my 
knowledge of the invitation they gave you, _I desire you 
will call there as often as you have Opportunity. An, oc~ 
casional exhortation from you or your companion at the 
Bank, Dale, &c. will be esteemed a favour; and I hope 
that my stepping, as Providence directs, to any of your 
places, (leaving to you the management of the societies), 
will be deemed no encroachment. In short, we need not 
make two parties: I know but one heaven below, and. 
that is Jesus’s love; let us both go and abide in it, and 
when we haye naheed as many as we can to’go with us, 
too many will still stay behind, : 

I find there are in the ministry, as in the common ex- 
perience of christians, times which may be compared to 
winter : no great stir is made in the world of grace, beside 
that of storms and offences, and the growth of the trees of 
the Lord is not showy; but when the tender buds 
brotherly. and redeeming love begin to fill, spring is a . 
hand. The Lord give us harvest after seed time ! Le 
wait for fruit as the husbandman, and, remember, h 
who believes does not make haste. The love af Cal 
be with us all. Pray for a. oe 


if cae J 


y 


ee», i ae ee a a <=. ae 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 147 


LETTER XLVI. 
_ Madeley, Jan. 13, 1766. 
MISS HATTON. 
Madam, 

I am almost ashamed of answering your letters after my 
long delays, but better late than never, as I hope your in- 
dulgence will put the best construction on what time does 
not allow me to make an apology for. 

{ do not wonder if ***** &c. lath been a snare to en- 
tangle your thoughts; but it is now over; and what is 
that to thee ? follow thou Christ. You may, however, 
learn this lesson, that the minding Christ and our own 
souls, with Mary, while we leave the world to Martha, is 
no easy thing in a day of temptation; and that no one 
knows what he is, till he is tried, and tried in the tender- 
est points\love, liberty, esteem, and sharp bodily pain. 
Lord prepare us for such trials, and may we encounter 
them, in the whole armour of God! 

This evening I have buried one of the warmest oppo- 
sers of my ministry, a stout, strong young man, aged 
twenty-four years. About three months ago, he came to 
the church-yard with a corpse, but refused to come into 
the church. When the burial was over, I went to him, 
and mildly expostulated with him. His constant answer 
was, “that he had bound himself never to come to church, 
while I was there; adding, that he would take the conse- 
quences,” &¢. Seeing I got nothing I left him, saying with 

uncommon warmth, (though, as: far as I can remember, 
: ‘without the least touch of resentment) “I am clear of 
your blood ; henceforth it is upon your own head; if you 
| will not come to church upon your own legs, prepare to 
/ ome upon your neighbours shoulders.” He wasted from 
“that-time, and to my great surprise hath been buried on 
| ‘the spot where we were, when the conversation passed 
_ between us) When I visited him in his sickness, he 


148 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


seemed tame as a wolfinatrap. O may God have turned — 
him into a sheep in his last hours! 

This last year is the worst I have had here—barrén in 
convictions, fruitful in backslidings. May this prove for 
us, and for you, the acceptable year of the Lord. I 
your prayers on this behalf. 

I have filled my page, but not with Jesus’s name: 
your heart contain what my letter wants—Jesus and his 
precious blood—Jesus ‘and. his free, glorious salvation, 
Live te him, breathe for him; buy, sell, eat drink, 
write for him; receive him as yours altogether, and give 
him your whole self, with all that is around you. Take 
us all, Lord, into thy gracious favour, stamp us with thy 
glorious image, and conduct us to thy eternal kingdom! — 

Present my christian respects to Mrs. Hatton, your 
sister, and all your friends, and accept the same from 
your unworthy brother, J. Bagg 


LETTER XLVII. ’ 
Madeley, May ——, 1766. 
MISS HATTON. F 
My Dear Friend, * 
I am sorry, after the manner of men, det you are ill, 
but glad in the Spirit, that the will of God takes place in 
you, and that he purges you, that you may bring forth| 
more fruit. Now is the time for you to begin ‘to bea 
christian in good earnest—I mean, to follow the Man 
sorrows; and to do it as a lamb, who goes to the slaugh- 
ter and opens not his mouth by way of complaint ;, though 
as a christian, | apprehend you may and te open it 
by way of praise. bt dha 
One advice I will venture to give is or rather to 
transcribe for you out of Isaiah—The believer does not 
make haste,-to doubt, to hurry, to forecast, and to reason 
after the manner of men; “If I ama child of God, why 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 149 


am not I thus and thus?” Let Christ, either suffering for 
you, or ordering your sufferings, be so eyed, that you may 
in a manner forget yourself in him; or if a weak and 
pained body makes you think of wretched self, let it be to 
lay it down with composure at Jesus’s feet, or take up the 
burden of the cross with cheerful resignation. 1 hope to 
hear soon of your being recovered in body and strength: 
ened in soul by this afiliction. 

“Ts any prayer acceptable to God, which is not the he 
tates of his own Spirit?” If you mean by the dictates of 
the Spirit, his influence en the mind to shew us our wants, 
and upon the heart to make us desire a supply of them; I 
answer, no: fer a prayer, whick hath not, at least, the 
above mentioned qualities, is only a vain babbling. 

“ Does a believer always pray with the Spirit’s assist- 
ance?” Yes, when he prays as a believer, and not as a 
parrot: for at his lowest times, he has, more or less, a sight 
of his wants, and a desire to have them supplied; and 
this he could not have, did not the spirit work upon his 
mind and heart. 

I hope you sink inwardly into nothing, and through 
nothing into the immensity of God. I see a little, through 
mercy, into the beauty of humiliation; I find the ministry 
of condemnation glorious; and I love to take, every me- _ 
ment, the curse out of Moses’s hand, as well as the bles- 
sing out of Christ’s. The Lord grant that you and I, and 
all our friends, may do it more Meelingly and constantly 
‘every hour ! 

May the Physician of soul and body refresh, strength- 
en, establish, and thoreughly keal you, by the virtue of 
his blood and the word of his power ! Bear well, and fare- 
well. Your unworthy servant, J. F. 

N2 


‘that higher circumstances of our life ‘are planned. by t 


ra) ee a a 


150 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


LETTER XLVIIL. a 
Madeley, May 27th, 1766. - 
MISS HATTON. wi ch q 


My Dear Friend, 
I am glad to hear that the God of all mercy and grace 


__has raised you from the bed of sickness, where his love 


had confined you. It is good to see his works in the deep, 
and then to come and sing his praises in the land of the 
living. A touch of pain or sickness I find always profita- 
ble to me, as it rivets on my soul the thoughts of my 
nothingness, helplessness, and mortality; and shews me 


~ in a clearer light, the vanity of all the transitory scenes of 


life. May your afflictions have the same effect upon you, 
as long as you live. May you be more steadfast than I 
am, to retain the deep impressions, which God’s gracious 
yod may have left upon your soul: and may you learn to 
lay yourself out more for the Lord, and to do whatsoever 
your hand findeth to do, with all your might; knowing, 
that there is no wisdom, nor device in the grave, whither 
we are going. 

If a sparrow falleth not to the ground, nora hair fr 
our head, without our heavenly father’s leave, it is certain 


wise and gracious Governor of all things: This kind ol 
faith in Providence, I find of indispensable necessity to ge 
calmly through life, and, F think too, through death also, 

The coming of Mr. Wesley’s preachers into my pari 
gives me ho uneasiness; as | am sensible that every o 
does better, and, of course, is more acceptable than my 
t should be sorry to deprive any one of a blessing, and” 
rejoice that the work of God goes on, by any instrument 
orin any place. How far it might have been expedient, t 
have postponed preaching regularly in my parish, till th 
minister of had been reconciled to the invasio: 
ofhis ; and how far this might have made my way smoother 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 154 


Jo not pretend to determine ; time will show it, and, 
in the mean while, I find it good to have faith in Provi- 
dence. 

I fear I have left as great a stink at Bath as Mr. Brown 
a sweet sayour here. Every thing is good to me. that 
shews me my unprofitableness more and more; but I de- 
sire to grieve, that the good of my private humiliation is 
so much overbalanced by the loss of many about me. . The 
Lord fill you with all peace and joy in your soul, and with 
all strength and health in your body! My respects. wait 
upon your mother and sister, and all friends. Farewell. 
J. Bi 
= 
LETTER XLIX. 
Madeley, Juné 21st, 1766. 
MISS HATTON. 
My Dear Friend, 

I am much concerned to hear, by Mrs. Power, that you 
are so weak ; but my concern has greatly increased, since 
I was told, that the foundation of your illness was laid at 
Madeley, and I am afraid by my imprudence, in taking 
you to the woman, with whom we received the sacrament. 
I ask God’s pardon and yours for it, and I hope it will be 
a means of humbling me, and making me more tender of 
friends. 

The advice you give me about my health is seasanable : 
I hope to follow it, nor am I conscious to have neglected 
it at all; however, I will endeavour, that there be not so 
much as the shadow of a call for repeating it. 

Ifthe air at Wem does not agree with you,” could you 
hot come so far as Madeley? The remedy is often most 
Weacegsfially applied where t the wound was given: and 
though I am no nurse, though I have been the contrary of 
one to you, I hope we should wait upon you with more 
tenderness, than when you were here last. Mrs. Power 


ik 


152 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


would nurse you, and I would talk be you of the ove 6 
Jesus, as well as I could. ‘sages . 
You know that I perceived your bodily weakness whe} 
you were here, and charged you with what you. ¢ 
' me with, “ a neglect of your body.” If I was right, 
you will follow yourself the advice you give m 
sure you will—the burnt child will dread the fire | 
time to come. ‘agibtal - 
With regard to kneeling, you must consider what your 
body ¢an bear, without inconvenience to your health." 
recover that, is your outward calling now; therefore, "So 
split the hair between the indolence of nature and the 
weakness of your body, that”neither of the two may be 
increased. ; 
Offer yourself to God for life or death, for ease or pain, 
for strength or weakness. Let him chuse and refuse for 
you; only do you chuse him for your present and eternal 
portion. I want you to be a litde bolder in venturing 
upon the bosom of the Lord: we lose (I for one) mu 
sweetness, and many degrees of holiness, in being shy 
the Friend, the loving Friend of sinners. Pray, for Go 
sake, don’t forget that your Physician is your husband 
The joy of the Lord as well as his peace, is to be your 
strength. Love is a passion that wants te be stirred: do 
it in all calmness—* I will love him, T do love him a litt 
Ishall love him much, because he has first loved me, &¢ 
Ply, I pray you, this sweet Gospel task. Necustoitt you 
self to look upon your body as the temple of the” 
Ghost, and meet him in your heart by simple recollettion, 
_and a steady belief of these gospel truths, “He is here? 
he is in me, &c.” nor do you let them go ‘for any thing 
you do feel, or you do not feel. May God bless, comfo! 
establish, and raise you! Farewell. = ss. Fe 


his 
> we 


mw 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 153 


LETTER L, 
Madeley, July ——, 1766. 


MISS, IRELAND, 
‘My very Dear Friend, 

"Tue poor account your father has brought us of your 
health, and his appehensions of not seeing you any more, 
before that solemn day when all people, nations and tongues, 
shall stand together at the bar of God, make me venture 
(together with my love to you) to send you a few lines: 
and my earnest prayer to God is, that they may be blessed 
to your soul. 

1st. Then, my dear friend, let me beseech you not to 
flatter yourself with the hopes of living long here on earth. 
These hopes fill us with worldly thoughts, and make us 
backward to prepare for our change.—I would not, for the 
world, entertain such thoughts about myself. I have now 
in my parish, a young man, who has been these two 
years under the surgeon’s hands. Since they have given 
him up, which is about two months ago, he has fled to the 
Lord, and found in him, that saving health which surpasses 
athousand times that which the surgeons flattered him with ; 
and he now longs to depart and be with Christ, which is 
far better. To see the bridge of life cut off behind us, and 
to have done with all the thoughts of repairing it to go 
back. into the world, has a natural tendency to make us 
venture forward to the foot of the cross, 

2d. Consider, my dear, how good the Lord is to call 
you to be transplanted into a better world, hefore you 
have taken deeper root in this sinful world: and, if it is 
hard to nature to die now, how much harder, do you think 
it would be, if you lived te be the mother of a family, and 
to cleave to earth by the ties of many new relations, 
schemes of gain, or prospects of happiness ? 

3d. Reflect, by your illness, the Lord, who forecasts 
for us, intimates long life would not be for his glory, nor 


i the life, and that he who comes to h 


154 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


your happiness. I believe, he takes many young people 
from the evil to come, and out of the way of those temp- 
tations, or misfortunes, which would have made them 
miserable in time and in eternity. sa 
4th. Your earthly father loves you much : witness t 
hundreds of miles he has gone’ for the : spec 
your health ; but, my dear, your hea 
a thousand times better 3 and he i 
all goodness. Allow, then, such a 
to chuse for you; and, if he chuses 
say,-as you can, “ Good is the will fe 
must be best!” th 
5th. Weigh the sinfulness of si 
tual, and firmly believe the ¥ 
will make you patiently accept t pu 
if you consider, that Jesus Chr 
taken away the sting of death, ant 
a passage to a blessed eternity. . , 
6th. Try, my dear, to get nearer to the dear Redeemer. 
“He hath delivered us from the curse of = law, being 
made a curse for us."* He hath quenc 
God in his atoning blood. By his ‘ato 
barmless life, and paintul death, he has 
demands of the law, and justice of God; 
tion he asserted the full discharge of all ; 
by his ascension into heaven, ret i prep 
us a place, he has opened a way to endless glory. ¥ 
powerful intercession, and the merits of his blood, ‘wh 
plead continually for us, he keeps that way open ; and 
encourage us, he assures us, “He is the way, a Ser and 


cast out.” He mildly offers re 
don to the guilty, strength to the 
dead. You know his words, “I am the resurrection, a 
t ‘ 4 

*Gal. iii. and ix. P.. Piighit 2 

a =. 


sg’ 
caf. Se 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 155 


he life; he that believeth on me, though he were dead, 
et shall he live ; and he that liveth, and believeth in me, 
ball never die.” 

7th. When you have conditioned your lost state, asa 
inner by nature, together with the greatness, the fulness, 
he freeness, and suitableness. of Christ’s salvation, and 
vyhen you have diligently viewed the glories and charms 
f his person, believe in him. Without any ceremony, 
huse him for your Physician, your Husband, and your 
Sing. Be not afraid to venture upon and trust in him ; 
ast yourself on him in frequent acts of reliance, and stay 
rour soul on him by means of his promises. Pray much 
or faith, and be not afraid of accepting, using, and thank- 
ng God for a little. The smoking flax he will not 
juench: only pray hard, that he would blow it up into 
. blaze of light and love. 

8th. Beware of impatience, repining, and peevishness, 
vhich are the sins of sick people. Be gentle, easy to be 
leased, and resigned as the bleeding lamb of God. Wrong 
empers indulged, grieve, if they do not quench the Spirit. 

9th. Do not repine at being in a strange country, far 
rom your friends ; and, if your going to France does not 
answer the end proposed to your body, it will answer a 
spiritual end to your soul. God suffers the broken reeds 
of your acquaintance to be out of your reach, that you may 
aot catch at them, and that you may, at once, cast your 
onesome soul on the bosom of Him who fills heaven and 
earth. 


| 10th. In praying, reading, hearing any person read, and 
meditating, do not consult feeble, faimting, weary flesh 
ind blood, for at this rate,.death may find you idle, and 
upine, instead of striving to enter in at the strait gate ; 
ind when your spirits and vigour fail, remember, that the 
.ord is the strength of your life, and your portion for ever. 
J death, where is thy sting? Thanks be to God, who 
siveth us the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord} 


it 


~ 


¥ 


NS i 
156 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Many pray hard for you, that you may acquit yourself, 
living or dying, in ease or in pain, asa wise Virgin, and as 
a good soldier of Jesus Christ; but above all, Jesus, the 
captain of your salvation, and the High Priest of your 
profession, intercedes mightily for you. Look to him, a 
be saved, even from the ends of F rance. To his pi 
love, and power, I recommend you. May he bless. 
my dear friend—lift up the light of his countenance 
you, and give you peace and courage, repentance, 
hope, and patient love, both now and evermore ! | 
your affectionate, sincere friend and seryant in oe 


me 
LETTER LI. 
Madeley, July ——, 1766. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, ie 
Your absence made me postpone thanking you for 
the kindness you shewed me when at Bristol; and to 
me under still greater obligations, youhave sent mea 
per full of wine, and broad cloth; as if ‘it were not ena 
to adorn and cover the outside, but you must also 
and nourish the inside of the body. x 
To this you have added a kind, but melancholy 
from Dover. Melancholy I say, as well as kind, by 
account it gives of the worldliness of our protestant bre 
ren abroad, and of the little hope you have of seeing } 
daughter again. My reason for not answering it i 
ately, was, the hope of sending by some friends 
Bristol ; and now I have the opportunity of telling 
without farther delay, that you should have a little - 
on your friends, in not loading them with such b 
beneficence—How would you like to be loaded” 
kindnesses you could not return? Were it not for a 
of that grace, which makes us Pacem b 
. ans 
eine 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 157 


to be nothing, to be obliged and dependant, your present 
would make me quite miserable. But the mountains of 
divine mercy, which press down my soul, have inured me 
to bear the hills of brotherly kindness. — 

I submit to be clothed and nourished by you, as your 
servants are, without having the happiness of serving you. 
To yield to this is as hard to friendship, as to submit to be 
saved by free grace without one scrap of our own righteous- 
ness. However, we are allowed, both in religion and 
friendship, to ease ourselves by thanks and prayers till we 
have an opportunity of doing it by actions. I thank you, 
then, my dear friend, and pray to God, that you may re- 
ceive his benefits as I do yours! Your broad cloth can lap 
me round two or three times; but the mantle of divine 
love, the precious fine robe of Jesus’s righteousness, can 
cover your soul a thousand times. The'cloth, fine and 
good as it is, will not keep out a hard shower; but that 
garment of salvation will keep out even a shower of brim- 
stone and fire. Your cloth will wear out, but that fine 
linen, the righteousness of the saints, will appear with a 
finer lustre the more it isworn. The moth may fret your 
present, or the tailor may spoil it in cutting ; but the pre- 
sent, which Jesus has made you, is out of reach of the 
spoiler, and ready for present wear; nor is there any fear 
of cutting it wrong; for it is seamless, woven from the top 
shroughout, with the white unbroken warp of thirty-three 
years perfect obedience, and the red weft of his agony and 
sufferings unto death. 

Now, my dear friend, let me beseech you to accept of 
this heavenly present, as I accept of your earthly one. F- 
did not send you one farthing to purchase it; it came un- 
sought, unasked, unexpected, as the seed of the woman ; 
and it came just as I was sending a tailor to buy me some 
cloth for a new coat; immediately I stopt him, and I hope 
when you next see me, it will be in your present. Now 
let Jesus see you in his. Walk in white, adorn his gospel, 

LaF ¥ oO 


> yo 


, 4 i “EP ie le. 
158 FAMILIAR Leramns. . cy 
while he beauitifies you with the garment of salvation. Ace 
cept it freely : wear no more the old rusty coat ofn nature and 
self righteousness—send no more to have it : patched, e make 
your boast of an unbought suit, and love to wear the livery 
of Jesus. You will then love to do his work ; 3 it will be 
your meat and drink to do it; and that you may be vigos 
rous in doing it, as I shall take a little of your wine for 
stomach’s sake, take you a good deal of the wine of t 
kingdom for your soul’s sake. Every promise of the g 
pel is.a bottle, a cask that has a spring within, and can 
never be drawn out. But draw the cork of unbelief, an 
drink abundantly, O beloved, nor be afraid of intoxication 
and if an inflammation follows, it will only be int of divi 
love. 

I beg you will be more free with the laauetle. wine 
than I have been with the earthly, which you sent me. I 
have not tasted it yet, but whose fault is it? Not yours cer- 
tainly, but mine. If you do not drink daily spiritual health 
and vigour out of the cup of salvation, whose fault is it? 
Not Jesus’s, but yours; for he gives you his righteous- 
ness to cover your nakedness, and the consolations of bie 
Spirit to cheer and invigorate your soul. “Acce rt and uses 
Wear, drink, and live to God. That you may heartily 
and constantly do this, is my sincere prayer for you and 
yours ; especially your poor daughter, whom I trust you 
have resigned into the hands of him, to whom she i is near 
than to you. The wise Disposer of all things knows what, 
‘is best for her. The hairs of her head, much more the 
days of her life, are all numbered. »The Lord often de- 
stroys the body, that the soul may be saved; and if this is 
the case here, as one may reasonably coal you will not 
say any he be Lord, “What doest thou?” But say, with 


the 4 
* Mr. at ad s generous friend had kindly requested him ng 
to send his coat to be patched; hence this ingenious and affee- 
tionate reply. 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 159 


the father, who lost two sons in one day, “It is the Lord, 
let him do whatsoever he pleaseth ;” or, with him, who 
Jost ten children at one stroke, “The Lord gave, and the 
Lord taketh away, and blessed be the name of the Lord |” 
Adieu. Daa, F. 
es re , oul Seta } 
iA ise ‘ty Reh feu 
LETTER Ll, . 
Meldeleys July ae 1766. 
MISS HATTON. 
My. very Dear Friend, zi ) 

I wanr to hear of you, if I cannot hear frou you by a 
line. he last account I had of your state of health was 
a very poorone. What nats the Lord done for your body . 

pit We: 

slg At eda, we are all going the way of all flesh; 
dul though you are more sensible of the journey in your 
body than I am at present, yet I follow you, or perhaps 
you follow me. {[ often feel a desire to bear your load for 
you; but the impossibility of this makes me rejoice, that 
Jesus, who does not faint as I might do, will and does carry 
both you and your burden. By a firm, unshaken faith, 
you know, we cast our souls upon Jesus, and by that power, 
whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself, he re- 
ceives and bears that which we commit to him, 

That this faith may be the firmer on our part, let it be 
rational as well as affectionate ; affectionate as well as ra- 
tional. God is good: he does not want us to take his 
word without proof. What expectations of the dear Mes- 
sias from the beginning of the world! What amazing 
chains of miracles and wonders were wrought in favour of. 
that people and family, from which he was to come! 
What prophecies fulfilled, that we might rationally believe ! 
What displays of the Godhead, in that heavenly Man, 
‘Christ Jesus! In him dwelt, of a truth, the fulness of the 
Godhead bodily. You see the power of God in his mira- 


Sag FANMLIAR LEPBERS. ew ih 


eles ; the goodness of Goa thy his. character 3 ‘the j 
and mercy y of God in his death; the trath and 
and glory of God in his resurrection, in the coming <i 


Spirit, and the preaching of his everlasting gospel. 
my friend, we may believe rationally; we may, with: 


attention, view the emptiness of all other religions, : 
fulness of assurance that ours affords. And shall we 
believe affectionately also? Letus stir up ourselves tok 


this Jesus, who hath given himself to us with all his ble 
all his grace, and all his glory. Come, give —_ 


whole soul, my dear friend, ge dame 


dons, all his love,all his strength. 
brace him in his faint, bloody sweat,.or 
tures on the cross, draw not back 


or die, we might be ticles with ‘him: to us to live-i 
Christ, and to die gain. He hath blo Lee 

Tam happily interrupted by your kine 4 
be God for the prospect of recovery you mention ! All i 
well that Jesus does: sick or ee iving or 
be Jesus’s , 

With combi to your complair 
cannot bear, the strong ex 
therefore, you are called, I 
sent, to accept of the gospel 
ness of a child at the breast, to st c 
solation. Inward, loving, believing recollection and resi 
nation is the path, into which our dear heavenly Fri 
wants now to lead you. Be faithful, be bold to follo 
where he leads: make no words—no unbelieving, words—_ 
and all will be wells; F pert in body and i in ag cat ie 

my alt oe ah J.F. xa 


ery tee FP aaa ilies a 


rr. S 5 a », ‘ ‘ ty aprer a a 


o 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 161 
Titi ' LETTER Lin. 
- ey Madeley, July 28th, 1766. © 
; is 


MISS ee a 


ry 


My Dear Friend, " 
I wear still a very indifferent account is your health. 
T stand in doubt as to your bodily life ; i but it is in the hand 
of Jesus, and Jesus is wise, Jesus is good, Jesus is Al- 
mighty: he will, therefore, dispose. of you for the best. 
While you see the scales hovering, and it may be that of 
life slowly descending towards a quiet grave, calmly look 
at Jesus; and when the feebleness of your spirits prevents 
you from crying out, in extatic love, “ My Lord and my 
God!” let your devoted, resigned, patient heart still whis- 
per, “ Thy will be done! I . 
Your last letter raised my hopes of your recovery; Mr.’ 
Perry, who saw you since, damps them again : but, whether 
_we live, we live to the Lord, or whether we die, we die 
tothe Lord. Not for the works of righteousness that we 
have done, but according to his mercy he saveth us: Glory 
be to God for his unspeakable gift! Jesus remembers you 
in his all-prevailing intercession—and, I might add, I do 
in my prayers, if the weight of a dancing mote Ei tived 
to be mentioned, after that of an immense mountain. I 
am with Christian respects to our kind, loving friends at 
Wem, your poor Madeley friend, _ J. F. 


LETTER LIV. 
Madeley, July 30th, 1766. 
MISS eae 
My Dear Friend,» 4 
‘So you are likely to be at rest frst > Well, the Lord’s 
will be done! I should be glad to have you stay to help 
us to the kingdom of God but if God wants to take you 
there, and house you beforea storm, I shall only cry “One 
02 


, , bh, 4 "I ? "s ees | Libs uF 
it ae : 
162 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


of the chariots of Israel, and ‘the ‘horsemen thereof, a Pre 
try to make the best of my way after you. a 

A calm receiving of the gospel tidings, upon a con- 
viction of your lost estate, with suitable tempers, is a sign 
that you are in a safe state; but I want you altogether in 
a comfortable one, Your business, I apprehend, is not to 
turn the dunghill of nature, but to suck the gospel milk; 
Dwell much, if not altogether, upon free justifica Ry 
through the redemption that is in ‘Christ Jesus. — 
the sufficiency, fulness, suitableness, freeness of his atone. 
ment and righteousness ; and hide yourself without ¢ a y 
under both. Look at death only as a door to let you 0 


of many infirmities and pains, into the arms of Jesus, = 


i 


heavenly bridegroom. Stir up faith, hope, and lo 
that is trimming your lamp. Since last Monday, I fi 
the burden of your soul upon mine ina very particular 
manner, and I hope that I shall not cease to pray for 7 
that you may go not only calmly, but joyfully, the way 
all flesh. I have got some praying souls to share with 
me in that profitable work, and T hope you will meet om 
spirits at the throne of grace as we do yours. 

Let me have the comfort of thinking, that you are ol 
your physician, husband, and all; who will order all things 
for the best. Pray hard, believe harder, and love hardest, 
Let the cry of your soul be, “ None but Jesus living, none 
but Jesus dying.” Let Christ be your life, and then death, 
whether it comes sooner or later, will be your gain. ’ 

Mr. Glazebrook waits for these lines, and I conclude by 
again entreating you to believe. “Only believe,” said Jesus 
to the Ruler—and faith will work by love, and love by 
desire to depart and to be with Christ. God the Father, 
Son; and Holy Ghost, bless, uphold, and comfort you! 

- Farewell, and ino not to Pray be 3 your sy friend, © 
/¢ F. ul 


| es Gilet. Je aad - se 
FAMILIAR LETTERS, 168 


mr LETTER LV. 


Miss ————. 


My very dear Friend, 

Tue Providence of our good God brought me safe here 
last Thursday, leaded with a sense of your excessive kind- 
ness, and’my excessive unworthiness of it. Your Araunah- 
like spirit shames and distresses me: I] am not quite satis- 
fied about your evasions with respect to the bill; and 
though I grant it more blessed to give than to receive, I 
think you should not be so selfish as to engross all that 
bléssedness to yourself. Nevertheless, 1 drop my upbraid- 
ings not to lose that time in them which I should save to 
thank you, and to praise Jesus. I thank you, then, for 
all your favours, but, above all, for your secret prayers for 
a poor, unworthy, unprofitable wretch, who deserves nei- 
ther the name of a Minister, nor of a Christian. If you are 
so kind as to continue them, (which I earnestly beg you 
will) I beseech you pray, that I may have power to tarry 
at the footstool of divine mercy for a day of Pentecost, till 
I am endued with power from on high for the work of the 
ministry, and the blessings of christianity. P 

1 know not whether I am wrong in this respect, but I 
expect a power from on high to make me what I am not 
—an instrument to show forth the praises of the Redeem- 
er, and to do some good to the souls of my fellow crea- 
tures. Until this power comes, it appears to me that I 
spend my paltry strength in vain, and that I might as well 
sit still. But I know I must keep rowing, though the wind 
be contrary, till Jesus comes walking upon the waters, 
though it were in the last watch of the night. 

You see that while you praise on the top of the moun- 
tain, I hang my untuned harp on the mournful willow at 
the bottom: but Jesus was at Gethsemane as well as on 
Tabor, and while he blesses you, he sympathizes with 
me. But this is speaking too much about self; good and 


164 “FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


bad self must be equally denied, and he, that is the fulness 
of Him who fills all in all, must fill my thoughts, my 
desires, my letters, and my all. Come then, Lord, come 
and drop into our souls as the dew into Gideon’s fleece; 
drop thy blessing on these lines, and may thy sweet name, 
Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, be as ointment and rich 
perfumes poured upon my dear sister’s'soul! Spread ‘thy 
wings of love over her; reward her an hundred fold’i 
temporal and spiritual blessings, for the temporal 
spiritual mercies she hath bestowed upon me as thy set 
vant; and vouchsafe:‘to make and keep me such ! ¥ 

‘I want you to write to me what you think of the life o 
faith, and whether you breathe it without interruption’ 
whether you never leave that rich palace—Christ, to ré 
turn to that dungeon, self; what your feelings are wher 
faith is at its lowest ebb, and when it acts most powerfully’ 
I should be glad also if you would answer these question: 
—What views have you of another world? What sens 

have you of the nearness of Christ? What degree o 
- fellowship with the souls nearest your heart? . What par 
ticular intimations of the will of God in intricate affairs 
and material steps? And whether you can reconcile the 
life of faith with one wrong temper in the heart? 

If you are so good as to answer these questions at M3 
you will oblige me more, than if you were to send 
two hundred waistcoats and as many pair of stockin 
Jesus is life, love, power, truth, and righteousness:—Je 
is ours; yea, he is over all, through all, and in us al 
May we so fathom this mystery, and So evidence the reali 
of it, that we may see, and fear, and turn to the Loré 
My kind love and thanks wait upon your sisters, & 
Farewell in Jesus. Pray for your bares, ned unwor 
servant, J. F. 


MAMILIAR LETTERS. 165 


LETTER LVI. 
Madeley, September ——, 1766. 
MISS HATTON. 
My very Dear Friend, s 

Gop wonderfully supports your tottering clay, that he 
nay fill up what is lacking in your faith. Concur with 
he merciful design : arise in spirit, shake off the dust of 
arthly thoughts, put on your glorious apparel—put on, 
very moment, the Lerd Jesus Christ—Dare to believe 
—on Christ lay hold; wrestle with Christ in mighty, ‘or 
ven in feeble prayer. He breaks not the bruised reed ; 
et the reed be grafted, by simple faith, in the true vine, 
i the tree of life, and it will bring forth glorious fruit; 
ot only resignation, but power to welcome the King, dist 
rmed of his terrors, and turned into a messenger of joy, 
ida guide, under Christ, to heavenly happiness. Let 
ot one feeble breath pass, without carrying an act of 
esire, or of faith towards Christ. Bestir yourself to lay 
old on God, and when you find an absolute want of 
ower, be you the more careful to lie at the feet of Him, 
ho hath all power given him on earth and heaven for 
ou. Farewell, my dear friend, that is, be found in 
hrist ; for there only can we fare well, whether we live 


HR Pm | J. F. 
¥' ‘ * Fa : 
i barney “LETTER LVI. 
-". Madeley, Jan. 9th, 1767. 


MISS HATTON. 
My Dear Friend, 
"fue alteration for the worse I ditvoverda i in your health, 
e last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, makes me 
-down to take a survey with you of our approaching 
ssolution. The dream of life will soon be over; the 
orning of eternity will soon succeed.—Away then with 


166 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


all the shadows of time. Away from them to th Esa 
Substance—to Jesus, the first and the last, by whom, and 
for whom, all ‘things consist. a - 

We stand on the shore of a boundless. ocean : a ‘ 
like a lion, comes to break our bones ; let us quietly strip 
ourselves of our mortal robes, that he may do with us 
the Lord shall permit. In the mean while, let us step 
into the ark ; Christ is the ark. My dear friend, belie 
in Jesus: believe that your sins, red as crimson, are 
“made white as snow, by the superior tincture of fi 
blood. Believe yourself into Christ. By simple faith 
believe that he is your everlasting Head; nor cam you 
believe a lie, for God has given that dear Savio 
the worst of sinners, to be received by a lively faith 5 ; ( 
hath declared, that t shall be done ito us, “ according 
our faith.” If you simply take Jesus t0 be yi ar ' 
the mystery of faith, you will be united to the resur 
and the life. The bitterness of death is ‘past, my “dear 
friend. Only look to Jesus: he died for you—died 
your place—died under the frowns of Heaven, that we 
might die under its smiles. The head a. ck 


found in him; plead that he soll 
eousness for you, and hath more 
for you, by his cruel sufferings and 
Regard neither unbelief nor doubt 
hell; chuse neither life nor death 
ed up in the immensity of Ch nr 
his cross. Believe that he h ad. 
you are comely in him, that you are pardoned, accepted 
and beloved of God, in one Mediator, Jesus Christ 
Reason not with the law, but only with him who says 
“ Come, and let us reason together 3 though your § ; 
_ as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ ee Fig t 
good fight of faith. Hold fast your confidence in the: 
ing, pena blood of the Lamb of God; 5 gh 


‘ 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 167 


aod the accuser of the brethren is cast out. Confer no 
nore with flesh and blood. Hunger and thirst after right- 
ousness ; eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Ree 
leemer ; and live in Christ, that you may die in him— 
Jp, and be doing the work of God. Believe in him, 
vhom he hath sent: kiss the Son lest he be angry: grasp 
im, as one, who hath fallen into deep waters, age the 
wanch that hangs over him. 
O slumber no more! Go meet the Bridegroom. Be- 
1old, he cometh! Trim your lamp; hold up the vessel of 
your heart to the streaming wounds of Jesus, and it shall 
e filled with the oil of peace and gladness. Quit yourself 
ike a soldier of Jesus. Look back to the world, the 
hings, and friends, about you no more. I entreat you 
1s a companion in tribulation, I charge you, as a minister, 
x0, at every breath you draw, according to'the grace and 
power given you, to the physician, who gives no body over 
—that says, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no 
wise cast out; and he that believeth in me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live.” 
' E’er long there will be time no more. O my friend! 
stir up yourself to lay hold on him by faith and prayer ; 
and let not those few sands, that remain in your glass, flow 
pvithout the blood of Jesus. “They are too precious to be 
bffered up to slothful flesh, which is.going to turn out its 
|mmortal inhabitant. Gladly resign your dust to the dust 
whence it was taken, and your spirit-to him who gave and 
redeemed it. Look to him, in spite of flesh and blood, of 
Satan and. unbelief; and joyfully sing the believer’s song, 
t O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy vic- 
ory? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ!” Let your surviving 
riends rejoice over you, as one faithful unto death—as 
one triumphing in death itself. 
| Tam just informed of dear Miss Fragena’s death.— 
She caught a fever in visiting the poor, sick of that dis- 


-as you cared for her body. w 


“a "= — nT o bel f aa mn 
7 ad es , os ri t $ 
168 FAMILIAR cove’ i 


temper, and living a week to stand aa sein dyinig 
pains. As she lived she died, a burning and a shininj 
light. F’er long you will meet her in Abraham’s bosom 
whence she beckons you to follow her as she followe 
Christ. Be of good cheer, be not afraid: the a 
who helped her, will carry you through. Your busi 

is to commend yourself to him—his, to keep safe that whiel 


you commit to him unto that day. *To his faithfuln 
and love I commend you; and am, 2 dear friend, - 


in him, fee FE 


=— # 
LETTER LVIIl. s 
‘Madeley, Jan. soth, 1767." 

MRS. HATTON. oO 
Dear Madam, a ; = 

I nearp last night the news of Miss Hatton’s death. 
As the stroke had long threatened you, and as she had, 
through mercy, long ago resigned herself to it; I hope it 
hath not found you without the shield ‘of resignation, pa- 
tience, and confidence in God. A sparrow, you know, 
falls not to the ground without his j permission, much les 
can a member of his Son fall into the grave without hig 
direction. Surely his wisdom is infallible: he hath cho- 
sen the better part both for you and your daughter ; he 
hath chosen to take her out of her misery, to translate her| 
to the place where the weary are at rest, and to give you 
by removing her, an opportunity of caring for "ge soul. 


Now, what have you to do, Maidan but to flat your, 
hand upon your mouth, and say, “It is the Lord; he gave 
and he hath taken away ; blessed be his holy ni pre 
you sorrow, let it be in hope of meeting her soc 
rious within and without, whom you — : 
spectacle of mortality. David pain 
this morning, that the love of Jona 
him than the love of women. | 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 169 


consideration of the love of Jesus, and you will find that 
it far surpasses that of the most dutiful children : and com- 
fort yourself by the believing thought, that Jesus lives, 
lives for you, and that your daughter lives in him ; where 
you will soon have the j Joy to meet her as an incarnate 
angel. 

I am, with prayers for you and Miss Fanny, to whom 
I wish much consolation in her elder, never dying brother, 
Dear Madam, your unworthy, obliged servant, in Christ, 


J, ¥F. 
LETTER LIX. 
"Madeley, February , 1767. 


JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 

Tue Lord will spare your daughter as dest as she can 
yet good, and do you and others good by the sight of her 
sufferings : when that cup is drunk up, she will be willing 
to go, and you to let her go. Remember; she is the 
Lord’s much more than yours ; and that what we call dying 
is only breaking the shell of a troublesome body, that 
Christ may fully come at the kernel of the soul, which 
he has bought. 

Poor Miss Hatton died last Sunday fortnight, full of 
serenity, faith, and love. The four last hours of her life 
were better than all her sickness. When the pangs of 
leath were upon her, the comforts of the Almighty bore 
her triumphantly through, and some’ of her last words were 
—‘‘ Grieve not at my happiness-=this world is no more 
‘o me than a bit of burnt paper—Grace! Grace! A sinner 
saved! I wish I could tell you half of what I feel and see 
—I am going to keep an everlasting Sabbath—O Death 
whereis thy sting ? O grave, where is thy victory ? Thanks 
pe to God, who giveth me the victory, through my Lord 
Jesus Christ |”? It is very remarkable, that she had hardly 

a 


, 
170 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


any joy in her illness: but God made her ample amends 
in her extremity. He kept the strongest cordial for 

time of need: he does all — well: blessed, for ed 
blessed, be his holy name! Se 

Worcestershire also lately lost a wise virgin of a : 
dear Miss Fragena, Mr. Biddulph’s sister. The 
before she expired, she said, “ I have had a stronger con- 
flict last night, than ever I had in all my life; it was shary 
and terrible; but Jesus hath overcome, and he will 
overcome for you and me: be of good courage, belie 
hope, love, and obey.” 

I wish you had often such meetings as that you menti 
every one should have as many thrusts at that crooked 
serpent, that holy Devil, Bigotry, as he can. If I 
leave my parish, I believe it will be to accomp 
Lady Huntingdon to the Goshen of our land,—Yorkshi 
to learn the love of Christ at the feet of my brethren 
fathers there. I am obliged to you for the present yi 
mention: I have taken again to the drink of my count 
water, which agrees well with me, and I shall not want it * 


myself: if it is not sent, diminish or stop it according 


this notice. Farewell in the Lord Jesus. , J. eam 
LETTER LX. q 
- Madeley, February , 1767. 


MISS BRAIN. 


I nore my friend Ireland will not grudge me the roo! 
take in his letter, to thank you for your last. It is travel- 
ling about, seeking its fortune, as well as the first ; 
knows but before it comes home, it will, like a baited he 
bring a fish along with it. I hope you go on and prosper. 
and do valiantly. Iam glad to see the Lord leads you 
the exalted way of exulting faith, triumphant hope, 
rapturous love; mount higher and higher ; there is no fear 
your losing yourself, except it be in the enn ae 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. ; 171 


divine mercy, and on the eternal hills of redeming love ; and 
to be lost there is to be happily found. ° I rejoice that you 
do not lose sight of the depth of human misery, and de- 
pravity out of Jesus. With this ballast, the strongest blasts 
of spiritual rapture, will never overset you. I also thank 
God, that your faith works by love, and that you love not 
in pen and word only, but in deed and in truth ; see that you 
abound herein more and more. As I trust you love to do 
well to your neighbours’ bodies, see that you use well that 
of a neighbour of mine, whose name is Brain, and put her 
in remembrance to pray for her affectionate brother and un- - 
sorthy servant, he 
LETTER LXI. ei 
Madeley, March 30th, 1767. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 
. Yesterpay I received your kind letter, and your kind 
present about a month ago: it came safe and is a large 
stock for the poor and me. The Lord return it you in 
living water; may it flow like a never failing stream 
through your soul, and those of all who are near and dear 
to you; that is, not only those who belong to your own 
household, but also to the household of faith, What a 
pleasure to love all, and to be a well wisher to all! I am 
glad you keep up your catholic meeting: a dozen of your 
way of thinking and acting, would break the legs of that 
chief, Bigotry, who reviles the crucified members of the 
crucified Jesus. God who vouchsafed to meet even Ba- 
jaam, when he went to curse Israel, will not fail to bless 
you, when you go to bless the scattered Israel of our 
‘Christ. ; 
| To return to your present: I return you my sincere 
thanks for it, as well as for all your former favours, and for 
your kindoffers of new ones. I have one to ask now, which 


172 FAMILIAR ‘LETTERS. 


is, that you would stay your hand, and allow me to cone 
sume and wear out the old presents, without overcha 

me with new ones. J do not say, stay your heart: n 

the oil of prayer flow from the cruise of your soul for 
and mine, till our poor vessels are filled with the oil 
love. , kd ; 
» What you say about Miss Ireland’s filling i: me 
mind of that worse disease of my heart, the dropsy of sel 
God gives me good physic and good food, but instead. 
digesting both properly, self retains what it should not. 
{ fill instead of remaining empty for fresh food: I lose 
appetite, I swell, and am good for nothing but another os 


ration: May the Lord so tap us, that all our swelling ma) 
go down, and return no more! The good Samaritan, w: 
is also a good Physician, wants to tap you spiritually 
the bodily tapping of your daughter. To be cut in the 
fruit of our body is, sometimes, more painful than to be 
cut in our own body: may both she and you reap the 
fruit of the successful operation whenever it takes place! 
T am, with cordial affection, my dear sir, your very mu 
obliged, though very unworthy seryant, J.F ? 
ye 


LETTER LXIL. 

Madeley, ye 1767 : 

JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. : 

My a Dear Friend, Fy P 


tried stone, built upon the corner stone ; aid mph 
have seen her, such, I am persuaded, you w will find i 
to the last—a soul devoted to Jesus, liying by ‘faith, ¢ going 
to Christ himself by the scriptures, insteniia) resting in 
the letier of the gospel promises, as too ma’ *SSOrs 
 Ithank you for your care to procure not only a 
ply for my church, but such an agreeable, ac 


FAMILIAR LETFERS. 178 


P profitable one as Mr. Brown. I know none that 
should be more welcome than he. Tell him, with a thou- 
sand thanks for his condescension, that I deliver my 
charge over to him fully, and give him a carte blanche, to 
do or not to do, as the Lord will direct him. Ihave set- 
tled it, that I should endeavour to overtake my Lady at 
Keppax, in Yorkshire, against the Sunday after Whitsun- 
tide. 

I have just time to tell you with regard to the Bristol 
journey, that I must come first from the North, before I 
dream of going to the South. God help us to steer im- 
moveably to the grand point of our salvation, Jesus the 
crucified—to him I recommend myself and you, and my 
noble guests. Love’him, praise him, serve him, who hath 
loved you, bought you, and died for yon I remain, &c. 

J. F. 


LETTER LXIII. 
Madeley, July 30th, 1768. 


JAMES IRELAND, ESQ: ; , 
My Dear Friend, 

Uncertain as I am, whether your daughter is yet alive, 
or whether the Lord hath called her from this vale of 
darkness and tears, I know not what to say to you on the 
subject, but this, that our heavenly Father appoints all 
things for the best. If her days of suffering are prolonged, 
it is to honour her, with a conformity to the crucified 
Jesus; if they are shortened, she will have drunk all her 
cup of affliction ; and, I flatter myself, that she has found, 
at the bottom of it, not the bitterness and the gall of her 
sins, but the honey and wine of our divine Saviour’s 
righteousness, and the consolations of his Spirit. 

I had lately some views of death, and it appeared to 
me in the most brilliant colours. What is it to die, but 
to open our eyes after the disagreeable dream of this life, 

P 2 


_after the black sleep in which we are buried on this earth? 
It is to break the prison of corruptible flesh and b 


- it im Jesus Christ! To die is one of the greatest privil 


147 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


into which sin hath cast us; to draw aside the cdrisill ny —_ 
cast off the material veil, which prevents us from seeing 
the Supreme beauty and goodness face to face. 

quit our polluted and tattered raiment, to be inve aa 
robes of honour and glory; and to behold the $ : 
Righteousness in brightness, without an interposing 


O my dear friend, how lovely is death, when we look a 


of the christian. ae. 

If Miss Ireland is still vee: tell her a thousand times 
that Jesus is the resurrection and the life; that hehe h 
vanquished and disarmed death; that he hath brought 
life and immortality to light, and that allothings are 
ours, whether life or death, eternity or time. These 
are those great~truths upon which she ought to risk, or 
rather to repose her soul with full assurance. Every 
thing is a shadow and a lie, in comparison of the reality 
of the gospel. If your daughter be dead, believe in Jesus, 
and you shall find her again in him, whip fills all in 
who incircles the material and spiritual world in his “— 
in the immense bosom of his divinity. ~ 

I have not time to write to Mrs. Ireland ; but I entre m 


she has gained over the world, the flesh, and sin. “ 
when a daughter is dead or dying, it is high time ‘fo 
father and a mother to die to all things below, a and aspi | 
in good earnest, to that eternal life, which God has given|| 
us in Jesus Christ. Adieu, my dear friend. rG ours 


~ 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 175 


LETTER LXIV. 
Madeley, October 14th, 1768. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 

I ruinx I told you at Trevecka, that we had no farm- 
ers at Madeley who feared God and loved Jesus. This 
generation among us are buried in the furrows of their 
ploughs, or under the heaps.of corn which fill their grane- 
ries. Now that I am on the spot, I do not see one who 
makes it necessary for me to change my opinion:* Your 
bailiff cannot come from this Nazareth. ‘ 

If the last efforts of the physicians fail with respect 
to Miss Ireland, it will at least be a consolation to you, to 
know that they have been tried. When the last reed 
shall break under her hand, that will be the great signal 
to her to embrace the cross and the crucified, the tree of 
life and the fruits it bears, which give everlasting health 
and vigour. When we consider things with an evangeli- 
cal eye, we discover that every thing dies. Things visible 
are all transitory; but invisible ones abide forever. If 
Christ is our life and our resurrection, it is of little im- 
portance whether we die now, or thirty years hence: 
and if we die without embracing him, by dying now, we 
should have abused his mercies thirty years less, than if 
we had lived so many years longer. Every thing turns out 
well, both life and death, our own and that of those whe 
are near to us. 

Present my respects to your sage! tell him, that last 
week I buried three young persons of a malignant fever, 
who, on the second day of their illness, were deprived of 
their speech and senses, and, on the fifth, of their lives, 

Of what avail are youth and vigour when the Lord lifts 
his finger? And shall we sin against the eternal power, 
the infinite love, the inexorable justice, and the immense 


* Thank God this is not now the character of all the farmers 
of Madeley. Editor. : 


he 
176 FAMILIAR LETTERS: 


goodness of this God, who gives us, "om moment to mos 

ment, the breath which is in our nostrils? No—we will 
employ the precious gift in praising and blessing this Boo 
God, who is our Father in Jesus Christ. on 

I hope that you learn, as well as I, and better than I, 
to know Jesus in the Spirit. T have known him after 
flesh, and after the letter; I strive to know him in 
power of his Spirit Under the divine character of 
quickening Spirit he is every where. All that live, live 
him, and they who are spiritually alive have a double li 
The Lord give us this second life more abundantly! 


Yours, at F: 
— ' 
LETTER LXV. ‘ 
Madeley, Dec. 5th, 1768. i 
MISS IRELAND. ! % 


My dear afflicted friend, | 
T- near you are returned from the last journey you took 
in search of bodily health. Your heavenly Father sees fit 
to deny it you, not because he hateth you, (for whom the 
Lord loveth he chasteneth) but because health and li 
might be fatal snares to your soul, out of which you could 
not escape, but by tedious illness, and an early death. Who 
knows also, whether, by all you have suffered, and ‘st 
suffer, our gracious Lord does not intend to kill you to th 
flesh and to the world, and both to you? Besides o 
hearts are so stupid, and our insensibility so great, that t 
Father of our Spirits sees it necessary to put some of 
sharpest, and longest thorns into our flesh, to make us 
to our dear Jesus for the balmy graces of his ‘Spirit. ; 
I bélieve some are driven out of all the refuges of crafty. 
and indolent nature, only by the nearest and last approa 
es of that faithful minister and servant of Christ—Death 
Of this I had a remarkable instance no later than las 
Monday, when God took to himself one of ke poo 


© Dhar 


—— 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 17¥. 


afflicted parishioners, a boy of fifteen years of age, who 
was turned out of the infirmary two years ago as incurab 

From that time he grew weaker every day by the retin 
of a wound ; but his poor soul did not gather strength. In 
many respects one would have thought his afflictions were 
lost upom him. He seemed to rest more in his sufferings, 
and in his patience under them, than in the Saviour’s 
blood and righteousness. Being wornto a skeleton he took 
to his death bed; where I found him the week before last, 
with his candle burning in the socket, and no oil seem- 
ingly in the vessel. I spent an hour in setting before him 
the greatness of his guilt in this respect, that he had been so 
long under the rod of God, and had not been whipt out of 
his careless unbelief tothe bosom of Jesus Christ. He fell 
under the conviction, confessed that particular guilt, and 
began to call on the Lord with all the earnestness his dying 
frame would allow. This was on the Wednesday ; and on 
the Wednesday following, the God who delivers those 
that are appointed to die, set one of his feet upon the 
rock, and the next Sunday the other. He had chiefly 
used that short petition of the Lord’s prayer, “ Thy king- 
dom come ;” and spent his last hours in testifying, as his 
strength would allow, that the kingdom was come, and 
he was going to the King; to whom he invited his joyful, 
mournful mother, to make the best of her way after him. 
Five or six days before his death, my wicked, unbelieving 
heart might have said, to what purpose hath God afflicted 
so long and so heavily this poor worm? But the Lord 
shewed, that he had been all that while driving the spear 
of consideration and conviction, till at last it touched him 
in a sensible part, and made him ery to the Saviour in 
earnest. And who ever called upon him in vain? Not 
one. Not even that poor indolent collier boy, who for 
two years would not so much as cross the way to hear me 
preach. Yet how good was the Lord! because his body 
Was too weak to bear any terrors in his mind, he shewed 


—_ as at al 


178 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


him mercy without. ‘The moment I heard him pray and | 
7 him feel after a Saviour, my fears on his account van- 
iShed;.and though he had not been‘suffered to ee | 
clearly of God’s kingdom, yet I should have had a joyful 
hope that God hath taken him home. a 
Like the poor youth and myself, you have but one 
enemy, my dear friend—an indolent, unbelieving heart; | 
but the Lord hath driven it to the corner, to make y; 
cry to him, who hath been waiting at the door all th 
years of trouble, to bring you pardon, peace, and ete 
life, in the midst of the pangs of bodily death. Jesus 
his name. Salvation and love are his nature. He is he 
father of eternity—your father of course. All the love, 
that is in Mr. Ireland’s breast, is nothing, to the abyss 
love, that is in your Creator’s heart. ‘“ A mother 
forget her sucking child; but I will not forget thee,” say 
he, to every poor distressed soul, that claims his help. 
O fear not, my friend, to say, I will arise and go to 
this Father, though I have sinned greatly against heaven 
and in his sight. Lo, he rises! and runs to meet 
embrace you. He hath already met you in the virgin’s 
womb ; there he did so cleave to your flesh and spi t 
that he asssumed both, and wears them as a pledge 
love to you. Claim, in return, claim, as you can, his bl 
and spirit. -Both are now the property of every:dying 
ner, that is not above receiving, by faith, the unspeakal 
gift. p vi 
Your father has crossed the sea for you—Jesus has d 
more. He hath crossed the abyss, that ‘lies between 
heaven and earth, between the Creator and the — 
he has waded through the sea of his tears, blood and ago 
"nies, not to take you to the physician at Montpelier, but 
to become your physician and Saviour himself—to su 
port you under all your bodily tortures, to sanctify 2 
your extremities, and to heal your soul by his ‘multiplied 
stripes. Your father has spared no expense to restore J 
+ 


— 
’ 
a + 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 179 


to Health : but Jesus, who wants you in your prime, hath 
spared no blood in his veins, to wash you from your sins, 
write your pardon, and seal your title to glory. 

O my friend, delay not cheerfully to surrender yourself 
to this good Shepherd. He will gladly lay you on the 
arm of his power, torn as you are with the bruises of sin 
and disease, and will carry you triumphantly to his heavenly 
sheepfold. Look not at your sins, without beholding his 
blood and righteousness. Eye not death, but to behold, 
through that black door, your gracious Saviour, saying, 
“Fear not, O thou of little faith; wherefore dost thou 
doubt ?” Consider not eternity, but as the palace where 
you are going to enter with the bridegroom of souls, and 
rest from all your sins and miseries. View not the con- 
demning law of God, but as made honourable by Him, 
who was a curse for you, and bore the malediction 
of the law, by hanging, bleeding, and dying on the cursed 
tree in your place. If you think of hell, let it be to put 
you in mind to believe, that the blood of God incarnate 
can quench its devouring flames. If you have no comfort, 
mistrust not Jesus on that account; on the contrary take 
advantage from it to give greater glory to God, by believ- 
ing as Abraham, in hope against hope. And let this be 
your greatest comfort, that Jesus, who had all faith and 
patience, cried out for you in his dying moments—“ My 
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” As your 
strength will bear exertion, and his grace apprehended 
will allow, surrender yourself constantly to him as the 
purchase of his blood, and invite him earnestly to you, as 
‘a poor worm perishing without him. In this simple, gos- 
pel way, wait the Lord’s leisure, and he will comfort your 
heart. He will make all his goodness to pass before you 
here, or take you hence to show you, what you could not 
bear in flesh and blood, the direct beams of the uncreated 
beauty of your heavenly spouse. 


1 


— a, e — > . 

180 PAMILTAR LETTERS, ¥ : 

I hope:you take care to have little or not Mir 
tioned to and about you, but his’ “Praises. an 
Your tongue and ears are going to be nt 
—now, or never, use them to hear and est p 
name. Comfort your weeping: friends : reprove the bac! 
sliders : encourage seekers. "Water, and you shall b 
watered. Death upon you, makes you, through Christ 
mother in Israel. Arise, as Deborah. - Remember 
praying, believing, preaching, though dying thief: and | 
not afraid to drop a word for him who openeth a fount 
ef blood for you in his dying tortured body. _ Suffer ii 
die, at his feet-—and you will soon revive, sing, and re 
in his bosom for evermore. F arewell i in the Conc 
of Death, and Prince of Life. 


LETTER LXVI. . ja 
Madeley, March 26th, 1769. | 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear mae 


his dear Son, the Man of sorrows, by sending you afilic: 
tion upon affliction. A sister and a wife, who appear ft 
hasten to the grave, in which you have so lately laid your 
_ only daughter, places you in circumstances of uncomme 
affliction. But in this see the finger of sithe who works 


him. Belicks in. him; _ believe that he does all f for t 7 
best, and that all shall work for good to those who love 
him, and you shall see the salvation of God; ane 


deliverance for you and yours. His goodness to your] 
daughter ought to encourage your faith and confidence’ 

Mrs. Ireland. Offer her upon the altar, and you shall see 
that, if it be best for her and you, his omnes, will suspe d 
the blow, which threatens sf 


oF FAMILIAR LETTERS. 181 


present of meal came’ last week, and shall be 
distributed to the pious poor, agreeably, to your orders, as 

n proof that Jesus, the liberal Jesus, the bread of life, is 
indeed risen and lives in his members, who mutually aid 
and comfort each other. We are happy to receive~ your 
bounty, but you are more happy in bestowing it upon us ; 
witness the words of Jesus—“ it is more blessed togive, 
tian to receive.” Nevertheless, receive by faith the pre- 
sents of the Lord, the gifts of his Spirit, and reject not 
the bread which cometh down from heaven, because the 
Lord gives it you with so much love. Adieu. The God 
of peace be with you, and prepare you for whatever it 
shall-please him to appoint ! 

. I shall be obliged to go to Switzerland this year or the 
next, if I live, and the Lord permits. I have there a 
brother, a worthy man, who threatens to leave his wife 
and children to come and pay mea visit, if I do not go 
and see him myself. It is some time since our gracious 
God has'convinced him of sin, and I have by me some of 
his letters which give me much pleasure: this circum- 
stance has more weight with me than the séttlement of my 
affairs. Yours, KF, 


LETTER LXVII. 
> Madeley, May 27, 1769. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, 


py with you with all my heart, and I pray 
may have patience and wisdom proportioned to 
four difficulties. You must take up your cross, and pray), 
in secret, like a man whose earthly cisterns are broken on 
every side, and who hathrneed of consolation from feeling 
the fountain of living waters springing up in his soul unto 
‘ternal life. I have every moment need to follow the 
advice I give to you; but my carnal mind makes strong 
: Q@ 


——— 


. 


_ should want for nothing, though I had nothing, and thoug! 


* 


wo on + ‘ = eS 
182 PAMILIAR LETTERS: 4 : 


resistance. I must enter into life by dea 

crucified on the cross of Christ, before I can live by k 
power of his resurrection. The Lord give us grace to 
to ourselves: for it is not enough to die to our relati 
Blessed indeed is that union with Jesus Christ, by whieh ; 
believer can cast upon that rock of ages, not only naa 
dens, but himself—the heaviest burden of all, O L 
give us power to believe with that faith, which works 
the prayer of confidence and love! Iam, &c. J. 


= 
LETTER LXVIIL 
; ’ Madeley, Dec. 30th, 1769. 


JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, 4 
Last night I received your obliging letter, and am 
to accompany you to Montpelier, provided you will g 
with me to Nyon. I shall raise about twenty guineas, am 
with that sum, a gracious Providence, and your purse, | 
hope we shall want for nothing : If the Lord sends me, | 


my fellow-traveller was no richer than myself. 
I hope to be at Bristol soon to offer you my services t 
pack up. You desired to have a Swiss servant, and 
offer myself to you in that capacity ; I shall be of 
more ashamed of serving you, as far am capabl 2 
doing it, than I am of wearing your livery. 
Two reasons, (to say nothing of the pleasure of yt 
company) engage me to go with you to Montpelie 
sire to visit some poor Hugonots in the South of. F 
and the need I have to recover a little F rench, before | 
to converse with my cotemporaries. : 
The priest at Madeley is going to open his mass 
and I have declared war on that aecount last Sunday, ar 
propose to strip the Whore of Babylon and expose her 1 
kedness to-morrow. All the Papists are in a great 


a 
aw) 


* bs - —) . : 
a a FAMILIAR LETTERS. 183 


ment, and they have held meetings to consult onthe occa- 
sion. One of their bloody bullies came to “ pick up” 
as he said, “a quarrel with me,” and what would have 
been the consequence had,not I providentiallyphad com- 
yany with me, I know not. How far more their rage may 
ye kindled to-morrow, I don’t know; but I question 
whether it will be right for me to leave the field in these 
‘ireumstances. I forgot to mention, that two of my poor 
gnorant churchmen are going to join the mass-house, 
vhich is the cause of my having taken up arms also, Fare- 
vell. Yours, JF. 


LETTER XIX. 
Trevecka, January 13th, 1770. 
JAMES IRELAND,.ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, 

I xnow not what to think of our journey. “My heart 
requently recoils; I have lost all hopes of being able to 
yreach in French, and I think if I could, they would not 
yermit me. I become more stupid every day ; my memory 
ails me in a surprising manner. I am good for nothing, 
ut to go and bury myself in my parish. I have those 
ouches of misanthropy which make solitude my element : 
udge, then, whether I am fit to go into the world. On 
he other hand, I fear that your journey is undertaken 
yartly from complaisance to me, and in consequence of 
he engagement we made to go together. I acquit you of 
four promise, and if your business does not really demand 
your presence in France, I beg you will not think of going 
here on my account. The bare idea of giving you trouble 
vould make the jorney ten times more disagreeable to me 
han the season of the year. di 

The day after I wrote to You, I preached the sermon 
igainst popery, which I had promised to my people: and 
Mr. S5—t—r called out several times in the church yard, 


« ‘ ‘ 
184 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


as the went out of church, that “there was not one 
word of truth in the whole of my discourse, and that he 
would prove it;” and told me that “he would produee a 
gentlemany who should answermy sermon, and the pam- 
phlet I had distributed.” I was, therefore, obliged to de 
- elare.in the church, that I should not quit England, and 
was only going into Wales from whence J would return 
soon to reply to the answer of Mr. S—t—r and the priest, 
if they should offer any. I am thus obliged to return to 
Madeley, by my word so publicly pledged, as well as 
raise a little money for my journey. Were it not for these 
~ circumstances, I believe, I should pay you a visit at Bris- 
_tol, notwithstanding my misanthropy. 
~The hamper, which yotmention, and for which I thank 
_ you, provided it be the last, arrived three days before my 
- departure; but not knowing what it was, nor for whom it 
was intended, I put it in my cellar without opening it. 1 
want thelliving water rather than cider, and righteousnes: 
more than clothes. I fear, however, lest my unbelie’ 
should make me set aside the fountain whence it flows, a: 
I did your hamper. Be that as it may, it is high time t 
open the treasures of divine mercy, and to seek in the hear 
of Jesus for the springs of love, righteousness, and life 
The Lord give us grace so to seek that we may find, am 
be enabled to say with the woman in the gospel, “I 
found the piece of silver which I had lost.” 
- If your affairs do not really call you to France, I 
wait until Providence and grace shall open a way for 
to the mountains of Switzerland, if I am ever to see t 
again. Adieu. Give yourself wholly to G A divi 
ded heart, like a divided kingdom, falls natur ys by 
own gravity, either into darkness or into sin. My h 
desire is, that the love of Jesus may fill your soul and t 
of your unworthy, and greatly obliged servant, J. F, 


— ih _* —— Wag 


. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 185, 


© wrterixx § & 
2 ee 
My Dear Friend, 7 

My delay has, I hope, dtiven: you to the Lord, who is 
our Urim and Thummim, whese answers are infallibly 
true and just. Not so those of men: nevertheless the 
Lord generally helps us by each other; may he therefore 
help you by these lines. 

You got safe out of Egypt with pladness, and now you 
seem entangled in the wilderness; but it may be needful 
for the trial of your faith, patience, self-denial, &c. that 
you should be left, for a while, to feel your own barren- 
ness. Therefore hold fast what you have, till the Lord 
}comes with more; equally avoiding discouraging thoughts, 
and slight indifference. Retire more inwardly, and quietly _ 
listen to what the Lord will say concerning you; refusing 
creature comforts, and acting by faith in God your Creator, 
| Christ your Redeemer, and the Spirit of your Comforter. 

You have always a feeling, which properly attended to 
}would make you shout, “I am, I am out of hell’ I beg 
that this wonderful mercy may not appear cheap to you; 

‘if it does, you have got up, and must come down; for it 
is proper that the Lord should bring down your spirit, and 
keep you upon crumbs, till you have learned to be thank- 
ful for them. 
| At the first reading of your letter, these things struck 
me: Ist. You are wanting in the venture of faith: you do 
‘not give enough to that kind of implicit confidence in 
Christ, which says, “I will trust in thee though thou _ 
slay me.” Now this is a lesson which you must -learn- 
‘Sink or swim, a believer must learn to cast himself head 
long into the boundless sea of divine truth and love, 2d. 
You have not learned to hold fast what you. have, and to 
be thankful for it, till the Lord comes with more ; till he 
baptizes you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. 3d. You 
Q2 


ad 


! 


> > 
186 FAMILIAR LETTERS. *? 
do not ving proper use of the joy of hope, which, nevere 
theless,’ is to be your strength, till the Lord comes to his 
temple ibs his abode there. Adieu. J.F., 


+ 
4 — 


_ LETTER LXXt. 


Madeley, September 6th, 1772.— 
MR. HENRY BROOKE. 
Dear Sir, 
Ir to do was as present with me as to wish, you would 
have been half ruined in the postage of letters. I ¢ 
tell you how often I have thought of thanking you for your 
». kind letter. My controversy made me put it off some 
time, and when I was going one day to answer you, a 
clergyman called upon me, read your letter, said you were 
a sensible author, and if I would let him have it, he wi 
_ let me have your Fool of Quality, of which I had 
ay I forgot to take your direction, and my backw 
ness to writing had a very good excuse to indulge i 
However, it ceases now : after some months, my friend h 
sent me back your unexpected, but welcome se 


F: ‘know in what street you live; a thousand thanks for | 
and a thousand more for the amiable character ; 
Harry, my kind, my new correspondent. May this sheet 
convey them warm from my heart to yours, and thence 
may they return like a thousand drops into that immens 
ocean of goodness, truth, love, and delight, whence come 

he streams which gladden the universe, and me | 
‘the city of God. 
I thankfully accept the pleasure, profit and honour of 
your correspondence : but I must not deceive you : Ihave 
not yet learned the blessed precept of our Lord in respect 
of writing and receiving letters. I still find it more blessed 
to receive than to give; and till I have got out of th: 
selfishness, never depend on a letter from me till you: 
it, and be persuaded, reas ae one ee yo 
always be welcome 


“ FAMILIAR LETTERS. 187 
ae see, by your works, that you love truth, and that 
you will force your way through all the barriers of preju- 
dice, to embrace it in its meanest dress. That makes me 
love you. IL hope to improve by your example and your 
lessons. One thing I want truly to learn, that is, that 
creatures and visible things are but shadows, and that God 
is God, Jehovah, the true eternal substance. To live 
practically in this truth, is to live in the suburbs of heaven. 
Really to believe that in God we live, move and have our 
being, is to find and enjoy the root of our existence: it is 
to slide from self into our original principle, from the car- 
nal into the spiritual, from the visible into the invisible, 
from time into eternity. Give me, at your leisure, some 
directions, how to cease from busying myself about the 
husk of things, and how I shall break through the shell 
till I come to the kernel of resurrection, life and power, 
that lies hid from the unbelievers sight. You mention, 

“A short sketch of your path already passed, and of your 
present feelings :” I believe it will be profitable to me for 
instruction and reproof, therefore, I shall gladly accept it. 
Pray, my dear sir, about feelings: Are you possessed 
of all the feelings of your Clinton, Clement and Harry ? 
Are they natural to you, I mean, previous to what “we gene- 
| rally call conversion ? I have often thought that some of 
| the feelings, you describe, depend a good deal upon the 
| fineness of the nerves, and bodily organs: and, as I am 
| rather of a stoical turn, I have sometimes, comforted my- 
_ self in thinking, that my want of feelings might, in a degree, 
| proceed from the dulness of Swiss nerves. If I am not 
| mistaken, Providence directs me to you to have this impor- . 
| tant question solved. May not some persons have as much 
| true faith, love, humanity and pity, as others, who are 
| ten times more affected, at least for a season? And what 
| directions would you give to a Christian stoic, if these two 
ideas are not absolutely incompatible. My stoicism helps 
me, I think to weather out a storm of displeasure, which 


Si ea, 
Pee 


188 . FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


my little pamphlets have raised: againstme. You see I 
at once consult you as an old friend and spiritual 

nor know I how to testify better to you, how unreservedly 
I begin to be, my very dear friend, yours in the Lord.* — 


J. “ 
— bie be, 
LETTER LXXII. 
Madeley, February 11th, ries 
MR. VAUGHAN. pe 


My very Dear Friend, 

., Your kind letter I received in the beginning of the 
week, and your kind present at the end of it. For both 
I heartily thank you; nevertheless, I could wish it we 
your last present, for I find it more blessed to give than 
receive, and in point of the good things of this life, my 
body does not want much, and I cando with what is moré 
common and cheaper than the rarities you ply me with. 

Your bounty upon bounty reminds me of the repeater 
mercies of our God. They follow one another as waye 
does wave at sea; and all to waft us to the pleasing shore 
of confidence and gratitude, where we can not only cast 
anchor .near, but calmly stand on the rock of ages, am 
defy the rage of tempests. But you complain you are nal 
there: billows of temptation drive you from the have 
where you would be, and you cry out still, “O wre 
‘man! who shall er me ?” 

. Here, would ask, “ Are you willing, really willing to 
be delivered ? Is your sin, is the prevalence of temptati 
a burden too heavy for you to bear? If it is, if your 
plaint is not a kind of religious compliment, be of 
cheer, only believe. Look up, for your redemption draws 
near. He is near that delivers, that justifies, that ead 


__* Mr. Fletcher, niga he wrote the above, mistook Mr. te 


Brooke, junior, for Mr. Henry Brooke; r, the anthor 
Fool of Quality. ; Les ¢ ; 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 189 


fies you. Cast your soul upon him; an act of faith will 
help you to a lift, but one act will not do ;—faith must be 
our life, I mean, in conjunction with its Grand Object. 
You cannot live by one breath; you must breathe on, and 
draw the electric, vital fire into’ your lungs, together with 
the air. So you must believe, and draw the divine power, 
and the fire of Jesu’s love, together with the truth of the 
gospel, which is the blessed element in which believers 


live. 

My kind Christian love to Mrs. Vaughan. Tell her, I 
am filled with joy in thinking, that though we no more 
serve the same earthly master, yet we still serve the same 
heavenly one; who will e’er long, admit us to sit with 
Abraham himself, if we hold fast our confidence to the end. 
Beware of the world. If you have losses, be. not cast _ 
down, nor root in the earth with more might and main to 
Tepair them. If prosperity smiles upon you, you are in 
double danger. . Think my friend, that earthly.prosperity 
‘is like a coloured cloud, which passes away and is soon 
Jost in the shades of night and death. Beware of hurry. 
Martha, Martha, one thing is needful. _Chuse it, stand to 
your choice, and the good part shall not be taken from you 
by sickness or death. God bless you and yours with all 
that makes for his glory and your peace! I am, My dear 


‘Friend, yours, &c. J. FE. 
ci 

| LETTER LXXItil. 

: Madeley, September 21st, 1773. - 


| JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 
I po not hear from my brother: my views of a journey 


‘abroad continue the same. I have considered what you 


say about the translation of my Appeal; And, I think, I 
‘might from it take the hint and do it some day: nay J 
tried to turn a paragraph or two the day after I received 


190 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


your letter, but found it would be a difficult, if not an 
impossible work for me. I am sure I could not do it 
abroad. Ona journey I am just like a cask of wine—I 
am good for nothing till I have some time to settle. 

What you say about Mr. Wesley, adds weight to your 
kind arguments ; but supposing he or the people did not 
alter his mind, this would not sufficiently turn the scale 
in point of conscience, though it is already turned in 
point of affection. My spiritual circumstances are what £ 
must look at. I am brought toa point: like a woman 
with child, I must have a deliverance into the liberty of a 
higher dispensation, and I tremble lest outward things 
should hurt me. The multiplicity of objects, circum- 
stances, and avocations, which attend travelling, is a8 
little suited to my case, as to that of a woman with child. 
I think, that all things considered, I should sin against 
my conscience in going, unless had a call from necessity, 
or from clearer providences. Should Mr. Wesley find a 
desire of accompanying you, I think you might set out 
with a single eye, according to your light and faith; and 
T trust the journey would be of service to both, and in 
that case my heart shall go along with you. If you go, 
pray find out, and converse with the Convulsionaries. 
My request is, that you may see your way plain, be fully 
persuaded in your own mind, and be led and covered by 
the cloud of divine protection: 

I thank you for having dared to speak a word for me 
at Worcester, but the stream of prejudice ran too high for 
you to stop it: it was drowning yourself without saving 
your friend. It is good to know when to yield. 

My last check will be as much in behalf of free grace 
as of holiness. So I hope, upon that plan, all the candid 
and moderate will be able to shake hands. It will be of 
a reconciling nature, and I call it an equal check to Phari- 
saism and oe eaguapi f 


Re: he J en yeas wae 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 191 


I see life so short, and that time passes away with 
such rapidity, that I should be very glad to spend it in 
solemn prayer ; but it is necessary that a man should have 
some exterior occupation. The chief thing is to employ 
ourselves profitably. My throat is not formed for the 
labours of preaching : when I have preached three or four 
times together, it inflames and fills up; and the efforts 
which I am then obliged to make, in speaking, heat my ' 
blood. Thus, I am, by nature, as well as by the circum- 
stances I am in, obliged to employ my time in writing a 
‘little. O that I may be enabled to do it to the glory of 
God! Let us love this good God, who hath so loved the 
world, that he gave his only begotton son, that we might 
not perish, but have everlasting life. How sweet is it, 
on our knees, to receive this Jesus, this heavenly gift, 
and to offer our praises and thanks to our beneficent 
Creator—our heavenly Father! The Lord teaches me 
four lessons: the first, is to be thankful that I am not in 
hell: the second, to become nothing before him; the 
third, to receive the gift of God—the person of Jesus; 
‘and the fourth, is to feel my want of the Spirit of Jesus, 
and to wait for it. These four lessons are very deep: O 
when shall I have learned them? Let us go together to 
the school of Jesus, and learn to be meek and lowly in 

heart. Adieu, J.F. 


LETTER LXXxIV. 
Madeley, February 6th, 1774. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 

My Dear Friend, ‘ ; 
: In the present circumstances it was a great piece of 
condescension in dear lady Huntingdon to be willing to 
‘see me privately: but for her to permit me to wait upon 
her openly, denotes such generosity, such courage, and a 


Bhs 


e 


192 _ FAMILIAR LETTERS. * 


mind so much superior to the narrowness that clogs the 
charity of most professors, that it would have amazed 
me, if every thing that is noble and magnanimous was 
not to be expected from her ladyship.—It is well for her 
that spirits are imprisoned in flesh and blood, or I might 
by this time (and it is but an hour since I received your 
letter) have troubled her ten times with my apparition, 
to wish her joy of being above the dangerous snare of 
professors—the smiles and frowns of the religious world; 
. and to thank her a thousand times for not being ashamed 
of her old servant, and for cordially forgiving’ him all 
that is past, upon the score of the Lord’s love, and of my 
honest meaning. o 
But though my mind has travelled so fast to Bath, on 
reading your letter, yet an embargo is laid upon my body 
—“T must not go yet.” Iam the more inclined to take 
the hint, for two reasons. I will tell you all my heart 
about it. The more I see her ladyship’s generosity, and 
admire the faithfulness of the friendship that she has for 
many years honoured me with, the more [ ought to 
care not to bring burdens upon her. It might lessen her 
influence with those she is connected with; and might 
grieve some of her friends, who possibly would look upon 
her condescension as an affront tothem. This is the first 
reason. The second respects myself. I must follow my 
light. A necessity is laid upon me to clear my conscience 
with respect to the Antinomian World, and to point out 
the stumbling block that keeps many serious people from 
embracing the real doctrines of free grace. I cannot 
do this without advancing some truths, which I know her 
ladyship receives as well as myself, but which by my 
manner of unfolding them, will at first sight, appear dread- 
ful touches to the gospel of the day. J am just sending 
to the press, “ A Scriptural Essay upon the astonishing 
Rewardableness of the Works of Faith.”—Though it con- 
sists only of plain scriptures, and plain arguments, without 
¥ 


TS 


— ~~ 
’ 
“ Ace) eal 
, -" : 


“RAMILIAR LETTERS! | _ 


any thing personal, T think it will raise more dust of pre+ 
judice against me, than my preceding publications. With 
respect to myself, I do not mind it, but am bound in loveto 9 
mind it with respect to her ladyship. My respect toher =~ 
ladyship therefore, together with the preceding reason, 
determine me to defer paying my respects personally to 

her, till after the publication of my Essay and Scripture 
Seales: and if she does not then revoke the*kind leave 

she gives me, I shall most gladly make the best of my way 

to assure her in person, as [do now by this indirect means, » 
that I am, and shall for ever be, her dutiful servant in what : 
appears to me the plain gospel of our common Lord. 

The smartness of the letter-writer in the Westminster 
Journal, and his bringing college charges against me, made 
me think he was probably the Author of “The Whip for 
Pelagian Methodists.” Well, after all, St. John’s love will 
carry the day. If I have all faith, and have not taney 
am nothing; but when you plead for love, you plead 
the chief work I contend for ; so you are almost. as deep 
in the mud, as Iam in the mire. With love to yourself, 
and dutiful love to your noble friend, I am, d&c. 
| ; “WEB 


: LETTER LXXV. 
| 
1 


Madeley, March 27, 1774. 
| JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
| My Dear Sir, 

I ruinx I wrote my last, two days before I received 
your bounty—a large hogshead of rice and two cheeses. 
‘Accept the thanks of our poor and mine on the occasion, 
I distributed it on Shrove Tuesday,'and preached to a 
‘humerous congregation on, “ Seek ye first the kingdom of 
God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be 
added unto you.” May you ‘and I find the bread we 
scattered that day, though it should’ not be till after many 
a We prayed for our benefactor, that God would 

" 5a Ae 
‘dic, & 


this new addition to all her former favours, till I have 


I hope have had the desired effect. Give my duty t 


al ~ 


194 © FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


give him an hundred fold in this life, and eternal lifey 
where life eternal will be no burden. _ I saw then what I 
haye not often seen on such occasions, gladness without 
the‘appearance of envying or grudging. 

How kind is my lady to offer to interpose, and to wipe 
off the aspersions of my London accusers. [had before 
sent my reply, which was only a plain narrative of two 
facts, upon which it appeared to me the capital charges were 
founded, together with some gentle expostulations, which 


the dear elect dady, and thank ‘her a thousand times | 


opportunity of doing it in person. 

I get very slowly out of the mire of my controversy, 
and yet I hope to get over it, if God spares my life, in two 
or three pieces more. Since I wrote last, I have added to 


th, or a Rational Vindication of the Doctrine of Salva- 


| ay Equal Check, a piece, which I call, “ An Essay on 
3 + u 


tion by Faith,” which I have taken the liberty to dedicate 


we ag lady Huntingdon, to have am opportunity of clearing 


her ladyship from the charge ef Antinomianism._ I have 
taken. this step in the simplicity of my heart, and as due 


- from me, in my circumstances, to the character of her 


ladyship. Mr. H—t—n called some time after the letter 
was printed, and told me, “It will not be well taken.” T 
hope better: but be it as it will, I shall have the satisfac 
tion of having meant well. 

I have just spirit enough to enjoy my solitude, and to 
bless God that I am out of the hurry of the world—even 
the spiritual world. I tarry gladly in my Jerusalem, till 
the kingdom of God comes with power. Till then it 
maiters not where I am: only as my chief call is here, 
here I gladly stay till God fits‘me for the pulpit-or the 
graye. I still spend my mornings in scribbling. Thougli 
I grudge so much time in writing, yet a man must do 
something, and I may as well investigate truth as do any 


oat 
o os _ 
7” ad 


* , y 


t 


ed a 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 195 


thing else, except solemn praying and visiting my flock. 
Ishall be glad to have done with my present avocation, 
that I may give myself up more to those two things. 
_ O how life goes! L.walked, now I gallop into eternity. 
The bow! of life goes rapidly down the steep hill of time. 
Let us be wise: embrace we Jesus and the resurrection ; 
iet us trim our lamps, and give ourselves afresh to him that 
bought us, till we can do it without reserve. Adieu. 
J. 'E. 


LETTER LXXVI. 
Madeley, Jan. 


THE REY. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 


» E775. 


My very Dear Sir, © 


I rHANK you for your letter, and your very friendly- 


posteript to your brother’s. Iam glad you did not alto- 
gether disapprove my Essay upon Truth. The letter I 
grant profiteth but little, until the Spirit animates it. I 
had, some weeks ago, one of those touches, which realize 


_or rather spiritualize the letter, and it convinced me more « 
than ever, that what I say, in that tract, of the Spirit and 


of faith, is truth. 


among believers. When the Son of man cometh to set 
up his kingdom, shall he find Christian faith upon the 
earth? Yes: but, I fear, as little as he found of Jewish 
/ faith, when he came in the flesh. 

I believe you cannot rest either with the easy Anti- 
_ nomian, or the busy Pharisee. , You and I have nothing 
) to do, but to die to all that is of a sinful nature, and to 
| pray for the power of an endless life. God make us 
faithful to our convictions, and keep us from the snares ai 
| outward things. You are in danger from music, children, 
poetry; and I trem speculation, gontroversy, sloth, Se. 


I 


i 


I am also persuaded, that the faith and spirit, which »— 
belong to perfect Christianity, are at a very low ebb, even _ 


ii. 


day ?—What of the dawn ? 


-Texpect a letter from you on the subject : write with o 


. and love bring better days. I am, reverend and dear si 


all Dae << 


~ 196 4 


FAMILIAR LETTERS, 


Let us watch against the deceitfulness of oe in all 
their appearances. 

What power of the Spirit. do you find among thebi 
levers in London? What openings of the kingdom ? Is 
the well springing up in many hearts? Are mings 
dissatisfied, and looking for the kingdom of God i 
power P W atchmen, What of the night >—What aft 


I feel the force of what you say in your last, about the 
danger of so encouraging the inferior dispensation, as 
make people rest short of the faith, which belongs to per 
fect Christianity. I have tried to obviate it in some part 
of the Equal Check, and hope to do it more effectually, im 
my reply to Mr. Hill’s Creed for Perfectionists. Probably, 
I shall get nothing by my polemick. labours ;- but Toss of 
friends, and charges of “novel chimeras” on both sides 


ness, and do not fear to discourage me, by speaking you 
disapprobation of what you dislike. My aim is to be 
found at the feet of all, bearing and forbearing, until truth 


. or most affectionate brother and son in the gospe 
: J. F. J 


LETTER LXXVIL 7 
Madeley, December Ath, 1. 

THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 

My very Dear Brother, x 

I see the end of my controversial race, and I have such 
courage to run it out, that I think it my bounden duty to 

run and strike my blow, and fire my gun, before the water 


of discouragement has quite wetted the gunpowder of my" 


activity. This makes me seem to ae my nearest COR 
respondents, oe ¢ 


. 

“y s Ps * : 
Ps , ra 

HF “ ebay te 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. i 197 


Old age comes faster upon me-than upon you. I am 
already so grey headed, that I wrote to my brother to 
know, if I am not 56 instead of 46. The wheel of time 
moves so rapidly, that I seem to be in a new element ; 
and yet, praised be God, my strength is preserved far bet- 
ter than I could expect. I came home last night at 21 
o’clock, tolerably well, after reading prayers and preaching 
twice and giving the sacrament in my own charch ; and 
preaching again and meeting a few people in society at 
the next market town. 

The Lord is wonderfully gracious to me, and what is 
more to me than many favours, he helps me to see his 

mercies in a clearer light. In years past, I did not dare , 
| to be thankful for mercies, which now make me shout for 
joy. I had been taught to call them common mercies, 
and I made as little of them, as apostates do of the blood 
of Christ, when they call it a common thing. But now 
the veil begins to rend, and I invite you and all the world, 
to praise God for his patience, truth, and loving kindness, 
which have followed me all my days, and prevented me, 
am only in the night watches but in the past ages of eter- 
nity. O how I hate the delusion, which has robbed me of 
so many comforts! Farewell. I am, &c. J.E# 


—_ 


: LETTER LXXVIUL. 
Madeley, February 3d, 1776, 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 


Upon the news of your illness by Mr. G 5 I and 
/many more, helped to pray that you might be supflobe 
Junder your pressures, and that they might yield the peace- 
lable fruit of righteousness. We shall now turn our pray- 
ers into praises for your happy recovery, and for the sup- 
ort the Lord has granted you under your trial. May it 
now appear that you imitate David, who said, “It was 
| ‘. R 2 


198 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


good for,me that I was afflicted.” .Let people say what 
they will, there are lessons which we can never learn but 
under the cross: we must suffer with Christ, if we will be 
glorified with him. I hope you will take care that it may 
not be saidvof.you as it was of Hezekiah, “ He rendered 
not unto the Lord, according to the.benefit of his. recoy- 
ery.” -Let us rather say, “ What shall I render unto the 
Lord for all his benefits ?” And may-we see. the propriety 
and profit of rendering him our bodies and our souls, 
sacrifices of humble, praising, obedient wre and warm, 
active, cheerful thanksgiving, 

A young clergyman offers to assist me: if, he does, J 
may make an excursion some where .this spring : where 
it will be I don’t know. It may be into eternity, for 
dare not depend upon to-morrow; but should it be your 
way, I shall inform you of a variety of family trials, 
which the Lord has sent me—all for good, to break my 
will in every possible respect. 

My little political piece is published in London. You 
thank me for it before hand—lI believe it is the only 
thanks I shall have. It is well you sent them before you 
read the book; and yet, whateyer contempt it brings 
upon me, I still think I have written the trath. Ifyou did 
read my publications, 1 would beg you to cast a look 
upon that, and reprove what appears to you amiss; for 
if I have been wrong in writing, 1 hope I shall not be so 
excessively wrong, as not to be thankful fur any reproof, 
candidly levelled at what I have written. I prepare 
myself to be like my Lord, in my little measure—I mean 
to be despised and rejected of men—a-man of sorrows 
and acquainted with griefs—most reviled for what I; 
‘best. The Lord strengthen you in body. ani : 
and suffer his will, Adieu. 


* 


PAMILIAR LETTERS. 199 


LETTER LXXIX. 
Madeley, March 21st, 1776. 
‘MR. VAUGHAN, 
Dear Sir, ’ Se 
Your barrel of cider came safe as to the outside, and 
I hope as to the inside too. How could you think to 
make me such a present? But I must rather thank you 
for your love and generosity, than scold you for your 
excessive profusion. You should have stayed at least till 
cider was ten shillings a hogshead, but in such a year as 
this—however, the Lord reward -you, ‘and return it to 
you, in streams of living water, and plenty of the wine of 
his kingdom ! 
_ I thought I should soon have done with controversy, 
but now I give up the hope of having done with it before 
Idie. There are three sorts of people I mast continually 
attack or defend myself against—Gallios, Pharisees, and 
Antinomians. I hope I shall die in this harness, fighting 
against some of them. I do not, however, forget, that the 
Gallio, the Simon, and the Nicholas within, are far more 
dangerous to me than those without. In my own heart, 
that immense field, I must first fight the Lord’s battles and 
myown. Helpme here, joinmein this field. All christians 
are here militia-men, if they are not professed soldiers. 
O my friend, I need wisdom—meekness of wisdom! A 
heart full of it is better than all your cider vault full of 
the most generous liquors; and it is in Christ for us. O 
-goand ask for you and me, and I shall ask for me and you: 
what a mercy is it that our Lord bears stock! May we 
‘Dot be ashamed nor afraid to come, and beg every mo- 
ment for wine and milk, grace and wisdom. 
Beware, my friend of the world: let not its cares, nor 
the deceitfulnes of its riches, keep, or draw you from 
‘Jesus. Before you handle the birdlime be sure to dip 
your heart and hand in the-oil of grage. Time flies 


i- 


ys 
200 © FAMILIAR LETTERS: 
Years of plenty and of scarcity, of peace and war disap- 
pear before the eternity to which we are all hastening. 
May we see now the winged dispatch of time, as we shall 
see it in a dying hour, and by coming to, and abiding in 
Christ, our fortress and city of refuge, may we be enabled 
to bid defiance to our last enemy. - Christ has fully over- 
come him, and by the victory of the head, the living 
members cannot but be fully victorious. 7 
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Vaughan. That 
Lord would abundantly bless you both, in your so 
_bodies, concerns and children, is the sincere wish of, 


sir, your affectionate friend, J. Foy 
LETTER LXxXX,. @ 
Madeley, May 11th, 1776. — 
THE REV MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 4 
My Dear Brother, ' 


What are you doing in London? Are you ripening as 
fast for the grave as I am ?—How should we lay out 
every moment for God! Ihave had for some days the 
symptoms of an inward consumptive decay—spitting 
blood, &c. Thank God I look at our last enemy with 
great calmness. I hope, however, the Lord will spare me 
to publish my end of the controversy, which is “A = 
ble Dissertation upon the Doctrines of Grace and Justice. 
This piece will, I flatter myself, reconcile all the candid 
Calvinists and candid Arminians, and be a means of 
pointing out the way, in which peace and harmony might 
be restored to the church. | 

T still look for an out-pouring of the Spirit, inwardly 
and outwardly. Should I die before that great day, I 
shall have the consolation to see it from afar, like Abra- 
ham and the Baptist, and to point it out to those who | 
shall live, when God does this. tsps ial! 

Thank God, I enjoy uninterrupted peace in the sail 
of my trials, whith are, ‘sometimes, — Joy also, 


a 
ee N 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 201 


I possess ; but I look for a joy of a superior nature. The 
Lord bestow it when and how he pleaseth! I shank God, 
I feel myself in a good degree dead to praise and dis- 
praise: I hope, at least, that it is so; because I do not 
feel that the one lifts me up, or that the other dejects me. 
I want to see a Pentecost Christian Church, and if it is 
not to be seen at this time upon earth, I am willing to go 
and see that glorious wonder in heaven. How is it with 
you? Are you ready to seize the crown in the name of 
the Redeemer reigning in your heart? We runa race to- 
wards the grave. John is likely to outrun you, nnless 
you have a swift foot. The Lord grant we may sink 
deeper into the Redeemer’s grave, and there live and die, 
and gently glide into our own. 

I had lately a letter from one of the preachers, who 
finds great fault with me, for having published, in my 
book on Perfection, your hymn called, The last Wish.— 
He calls it dangerous Mysticism. My private thoughts 
are, that the truth lies between driving Methodism and 
still Mysticism. What think you? Read the addresss 
es which I have added to that piece, and tell me your 
thoughts. 

Let us pray that God would renew our youth, as that 
of the eagle, that we may bear fruit in our old age. The 
Lord strengthen you to the last! I hope I shall see you 
defore my death: if not, let us rejoice at the thought of 
meeting in heaven. Give my kind loye to Mrs. Wesley, 
‘o my god-daughter, and to her brothers, who all, I hope, 
remember the Creator in the days of their youth. Adieu. 
am, &e. 4,F, 


e oe. 


friend whom I meet daily at the Wells, I gladly embrace 


202 FAMILIAR LETTERS. ‘ 


LETTER LXXXI. 


Bristol, July 12th 1776. 
MR. CHARLES PERRONET. © *  ” 

My very Dear Brother, " v 
Havine an opportunity to write a line to you “by a 


it to thank you for your last favour. The Lord keeps me 
hanging by a thread; he weighs me in the balance for life 
and death: I trust him for the choice. He knows, 
better than I, what is best; and I leave all to his uner: 
wisdom. I am calm, and wait, with submission, 

the Lord will, say concerning me. I wait to be bapti 
into all his fulness, and trust the word—the word of 
grace. Afflictions and shakes may be a ploughing neces- 
sary to make way for the heavenly seed, and to prepare 
me to bring forth some fruit in lifeand in death. Whether 
it be in the former or in the latter, I hope I shall live and 
die the object of your love, and the subject of your pray: 
ers, as you are of the cordial affection and good wishes of, 


my very dear friend, your devoted brother, and obliged 


companion in tribulation, A of Te 
— . 
LETTER LXXxIl. % 
» Madeley, Aug. 18th, 1776, 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ J 
My Dear Friend, 


My breast is always very weak, but if it please a 
will in time recover strength: Mr. Greaves will take a 
the duty upon himself, and I shall continue to take 
exercise, and the food which was recommended to 1 
The Lord grant me grace to repose myself on Christ, t 
exercise myself in charity, and to feed upon the bread o 
life, which God has given us in Jesus Christ. We al 
need this spiritual regimen; may we be coals ob 
serve it as strictly, as we do “e Te eg 

earthly physicians ! 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 205 — 


I thank you ,my dear friend, for all your favours, and 
| your attention tome. Your more than fraternal love 
vers me with confusion, and fills me with acknowledge- 
ent. What return shall I make? I will drink the cup of 
anksgiving, and I will bless the name of the Lord; I 
ill thank my dear friend, and wish him all the temporal 
lessings he conferred upon me, and all those spiritual 
nes, which were not in his power to bestow. Live in 
ealth—live piously—live content—live in Christ—live for 
ternity—live to make your wife, your children, your ser- 
ants, your neighbours, happy, as far as their happiness 
epends on you; and may the God of all grace give back an 
undred fold to you and your dear wife, al] the kindnesses 
vith which you have loaded me! The Lord make you 
appy as a father, a master, and a christian! The God 
f peace be with you without interruption! Give me some 
ecount of your health, and I will inform you of the altera- 
ions which take place in that of your obedient servant and 
levoted friend, J.F. 


LETTER LXXXIIl. 
Madeley, Aug. 24th, 1776. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, 
_ Lnave received the news of your loss, and of the gajz 
pf your younger daughter. She has entered into port, 
and has left you on a tempestuous sea with Fanny. The 
ecount of her death did not surprize me: when you re- 
peived that of her illness, this passage came strongly to 
my mind—*“ Two shall be in one house: one shall be 
aken and the ether left.” I recommend to Mrs. Ireland 
resignation of David when he lost his son, and do you 
ive her the example. The day of death is preferable to 
at of our birth. With respect to infants, the maxim of 
omon i is indubitable. Oh what an honour is it to be 


* 4, 
oi - 
y ¢ b 
he . « 


qi 


204. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


the father and mother of a little cherubim, who hovers 
round the throne of God in heavenly glory! Comfort 
yourselves, and rejoice that the Lord has taken one, and 
left the other. aii 
R—q—t dead, and buried! The jolly man, who last 
summer shook his head at me, as at a dying man! How 
frail are we! God help us to live to day! to-morrow is 
the fools day. Iam glad you encourage my hopes of 
finding some at Bristol, who will tarry with one accord, 
for a Pentecostal day of the Son of man. I meet with 
some, I hope, that feel a:want of it; but my constant re- 
movals prevent my enjoying the benefit of waiting together 
in one place. When God shall be about to take a 
the reproach of his people, he will work a double miracle 
—his grace will prepare their hearts, and his providence 
their outward circumstances. ’ 
I have not at present the least idea, that I am called te 
quit my post here. I see no probability of being useful 
in Switzerland. My call is here, I am sure of it, if then, 
I undertook the journey, it would be merely to accompany 
you. I dare not gratify friendship by taking such a step; 
and so much the less, asI have no faith in the prescri 
tions of your physician; and I think that if health be bet 
ter for us than sickness, we may enjoy it as well here 
in France or Italy. If sickness be best for us, why sh 
it? Every thing is good when it comes from God. No 
ing but baptism of fire and the most evident openings 
Providence can engage me in such a journey. If y 
believe that Providence calls you to make it, go and pai 
the winter with Mr. Lee: the bare idea, that the journe 
will do you good, may by God’s blessing, be of service 
you. If I reject your obliging offer to procure me a su 
stitute, accuse not my friendship to you, but attribute it 
my fear of taking a false step, of quitting my post withou 
command, and of engaging in a warfare, to which 1 
Lord does not call me. My,relieal wounds my fri 


” ‘ 


oe 


* 


S 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 205 


ship for you; but I hope it will not prevent your being 
persuaded, that I am, with lively gratitude, altogether 
yours in Jesus Christ. Adieu. J. EY 
LETTER LXXXIVv. 
Madeley, Sept. 7th, 1776. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My very Dear Friend, 

' T rHank you for your kind letter, and am glad you will 
continue to oppose bigotry, though I would not have you 
bring a whole house about your ears, for the sake of so 
insignificant a creature as Tam. As many, who espouse 
the sentiments of my opponents, condemn me without 
having heard me out, and upon the dreadful charges which 
they hear brought against me, they are not much to blame; 
for what good man can think well of a blasphemer, and 
an enemy to the gospel? I hope, for my part, to do what 
shall be in my power to remove prejudices, and trust to 
gain some resignation and patience, by what I shall not 
be able to remove. God is my witness, that I honour and 
love them, though I will never part with my liberty of ex- 
osing error, wherever I shall detect it. Why might I 
ot endeavour to take off a spot from a friend’s sleeve, 
ithout running the risk of losing his friendship, and in- 
urring his ill-will ? 

My health is, I thank God, better than when I wrote 
ast. I have not yet preached, rather from a sense of my 
uty to my friends, and high thoughts of Mr. Greave’s 
abours, (who does the work of an evangelist to better 
mrpose than I,) than to spare myself; for if I am not 
en, I am qs able to do my work now, as I was a 
ear ago. 

A fortnight ago, I paid a visit to West Bromwich. I 

away from the kindness of my parishioners, who 

ppressed me with tokens of their love. ‘To me there is 
a é 


206 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


nothing so extremely trying as excessive kindness. I am 
of the king’s mind, when the people shewed their love to 
him on his journey to Portsmouth, “I can bear,” he said, 
‘“‘the hissings of a London mob, but these shouts of joy 
are too much for me.” ‘You, my dear friend, Mrs. Ire- 
land, Mrs. Norman, and all your family, have put me to 
that severe trial, to which all trials, caused by the hard 
words that have been spoken of me, are nothing. x | 
return you all my warmest thanks, and pray that, excess ex- 
cepted, you may all meet, in the day of your weakness, as 
kind nurses and benefactors as you have proved to me. — 
At our age a recovery can be but a short reprieve : let 
us, then, give up ourselves daily to the Lord, as people 
who have no confidence in the flesh, and do not trust to 
to-morrow.—I find my weakness, unprofitableness and 
wretchedness, daily more and more: and the more I find 
them, the more help I have to sink into self-abhorrence. 
Nor do I despair to sink one day so in it, as to die to self 
and revive in my God. Farewell. ‘y Loe 


LETTER LXXXYV. ¥ 
Madeley, September 15th, 1776. 
THE REV. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 


4 


wa 


My very Dear Brother, 

I LATELY consulted a pious gentleman, near Litchiel, 
famous for his skill in the disorders of the breast. He 
assured me, I am in no immediate danger of a COnsUmp* 
tion of the lungs ; and that my disorder is upon the nerves, 
in consequence of too much close thinking. He permitted 
me to write and preach in moderation, and gave me 
medicines, which, I think, are of ser in taking off my 
feverish heats. My spitting of blood is stopped, and I 
may yet be spared to travel with you as an invalid, 

If God adds one inch to my span, I see my calling. 1 
desire to know nothing but Christ and him crus, 


wo 


ee a 
= 7 ia '"4 . 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 207 


revealed in the Spirit. I long to feel the utmost power 
of the Spirit’s dispensation ; and I will enceavour to bear 
my testimony to the glory of that dispensation, both with 
my pen and tongue. Some of our injudicious or inatten- 
tive friends, will probably charge me with novelty for it ; 
but be that as it will, let us meekly stand for the truth as 
it is in Jesus, and trust the Lord for every thing. I thank 
God, I feel so dead to popular applause, that, I trust, I 
should not be afraid to maintain a truth against the world ; 
and yet I dread to dissent from any child of God, and 
feel ready to condescend to every one. O what depths of 
humble love, and what heights of gospel truth, do I some- 
times see! I wantto sink into the former, and rise into thé 
latter. Help me by your example, letters, and prayers ; 
and let us, after our forty years abode in the wilderness, 
with Moses and John, break forth after our Joshua into 
the Canaan of pure love. I am, &c. h 2) At 


LETTER LXXXVI. 
Newington, Jan. 19th, 1777. 
THE REV. MR. VINCENT PERRONET. 
Dear Father in Christ, 

T sec you would accept my multiplied thanks for your 
tepeated favours. You haye twice entertained me a 
| worthless stranger ; and not yet tired of the burden, you 
kindly invite me, weak and troublesome as I am, to share 
in the comforts of your house and family. Kind Provi- 
| dence leaves me no room, at present, to hang a third bur- 
den upon you. The good air and accommodations here, 
| and the nearness to a variety of helps, joined to the kind- 
ness of my friends, and the weakness of my body, forbid 
me to remove at present. “God reward your labour of 
love and fatherly offers! Should the Lord raise me, I shall] 
be better able to reap the benefit of your instructions—a 
pleasure, which I promise myself sometime, if the Lord) 


pleats 


Aye 


ee ES a 


208 . FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


I have of late thought much upon a method of reconcil- 
ing the-Calvinists and Arminians. I have seen some Cal- 
viniap ministers, who seem inclined to a plan of pacifica- 
tion, I wish I had strength enough to draw the sketch of 
it for your improvement. I think the thing is by no means 
impracticable, if we would but look one another in the 
face, and fall together at the feet of Him, who makes men 
to be of one mind in a house, and made once all believers 
to be of one soul in the church. Let us pray, hope, wait, 
and be ready to cast one mite of endeavour towards the 
blessing of a reconciliation ; in which none could be more 
glad to second you, than honoured and dear sir, your 
affectionate, obliged son in the gospel, J. Fg 


oe ‘ 


LETTER LXXXVII. 
Newington, Jan. 19th, 1777. 
MISS PERRONET. 
Dear Madam, 

I THANK you for your care and kind nursing of me 
when at Shoreham ; and, especially, for the few lines you 
have: favoured me with. They are so much the more 
agreeable to me, as they treat of the one thing needful for 
the recovery of our souls—the spirit of power, of love, 
and of a sound mind; together with our need of it, and 
the grand promise that this need shall be abundantly 
supplied—supplied by a baptismal outpouring of a 
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which makes us free from 
the law of sin and death. May we hunger and thirst 
after righteousness in the Holy Ghost, and we shall b 
filled. May we so come to our first Paraclete, and C 
forter, as to receive the second, as’an indwelling and 
overtlowing fountain of light,,life, and love. My view of 
this mystery is, I trust, scriptural. The father so lov! 
the world, as to give us the first Adyocate, Paraclete 
‘and Cemforter, whom we love and ive as ¢ u Re 


4, ms . oe of 


5 ae aa ad 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 20e 


_deemer. The first advocate has told us, it was expedient 
that he should leave us, because, in that case he would 
send another Advocate, Paraclete, or Comforter, to abide 
with us, and be in us for ever, as our Sanctifier, our Urim 
and Thammin, our lights and perfections, our oracle and 
guide. This is the grand promise to Christians ;—called 
the promise of the Father, and brought by the Son. O 
may it be sealed on our hearts by the Spirit of promise ! 
May we ever cry, 


“ Seal thou our breasts, and let us wear 
‘“€ That pledge of love for ever there !” 


-Then we shall be filled with pure, perfect love; for the 
love of the Spirit perfects that of the Father and Son, 
and accomplishes the mystery of God in the believing 
soul. Come then, let us look for it; this great salvation 
draws nigh. Let us thank God moye thankfully, more 
joyfully, more humbly, more penitently, for Christ our 
first Comforter: and hanging on his word, let us ardently 
pray for the fulness of his Spirit, for the indwelling of our 
second Comforter, who will lead us into all truth, all love, 
all power. Let us join the few, who besiege the throne 
of grace, and not give over putting the Lord in remem~- 
brance, till he has raised himself a Pentecostal Church 
again in the earth; I mean a Church of such believers as 
are all one heart and one soul. Nor forget to ask, that 
when you press into that kingdom and church, you may 
be followed by, dear madam, yours, &c. Lk 


_ LETTER LXXXVIill. 
Newington, January 29th, 1777. 
_JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 


| Tanks be to God, and to my dear Friend, for favours 
| apon favours, for undeserved love and the most endearing 
tokens of it. I have received your obliging letters full of 


- 5 2 


wn 


* 
210 - FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


* 
kind offers, and your jar full of excellent grapes. Ma, 
God open to you the book of life, and seal upon youth 
- heart all the offers and promises it contains; and may 
the treasures of Christ’s love, and all the fruits of the 
Spirit, be abundantly open to my dear friend and unweari- 
ed benefactor ! 

Providence sent me, last Sunday, Dr. ‘Trae who 
under God, saved my life, twenty-three years ago, ina 
dangerous illness; and I am inclined to try what his 
method will do. He orders me asses milk, chicken, &c, 
forbids me riding, and recommends the greatest quietness, 
He prohibits the use of Bristol water: advises some 
waters of a purgative nature; and tries to promote ex- 
pectoration by a method that so far answers, though I spit 
by it more blood than before. It will be in order to cure 
one way or other. 

With respect to my soul, I find it good to be in the 
balance, awfully weighed every day for life or death. 
thank God, the latter has lost its sting, and endears to me 
the Prince of life. But O! I want Christ, my resurree- 
tion, to be a thousand times more dear to me; and doubt 
not he will be so when I am filled with the spirit of wis- 
dom, and revelation in the knowledge of him. Let us 
wait for that glory, praising God for all we have received 
and do daily receive; and trusting him for all we haye 
not yet received. Let our faith do justice to his veracity, 
our hope to his goodness, and our love to all his perfall 
tions. It is good to trust in the Lord, and his,saints 
well to hope in him. I am vaetited here with every 
necessary and convenient blessing for my state. The | 
great have even done me the hgnour of calling—Mr. 
Shirly, Mr. R—d Hill, Mr Peckwell, &c. I exhort them 
to promote peace in the church, whilel they take kindly, 
Thope God will incline us all to peace living and 
Lady Huntingdon has written me a kind letter 
for universal, lasting kindness ! This world Or 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. ait 


ad 


become a world of love. May it be so to my deampfriend 
My kindest love and thanks wait on yourself, Mrs. 


Ireland, and all your dear family. . J. F. 
LETTER LXXXIX. 

London, » 1777. 

‘ MR. GREENWOOD. : 


My dear companion in tribulation, and in the patience 
of Jesus. Peace be multiplied unto you, and resignation 
by the cross of Jesus. I bear your foot on my heart, 
and cast my heart on him, to whom all burdens are 
lighter than a feather. Paschal said, when the rod of 
tribulation was upon him, “ Now I begin to be a Christian,” 

Meaning a follower of the man of sorrows. By his pierc- 
ed feet may yours be eased. Hold this fast, “ Whom the 
Lord loveth, he chasteneth.”—Accept the rod as a token 
of your adoption; and be willing to be made perfect in 
patience by sufferings. In the mean time rejoice that 
Christ’s sufferings are over, that they are atoning—and 
that they have purchased our comforts. If you can come 
safely to-morrow, you will bring a blessing to your poor 
pensioner, who remains in the bonds of grateful, brotherly 


love, yours, J. F. 


LETTER XC. 
Newington, February 24th, 1777- 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 

My Dear Friend, 
| Let us abandon ourselves without reserve to God, who 

is alike the God of all grace when he chastises, as when 

he blesses us. Beason of Abraham—be an imitator of 

God. Abraham refused not to offer up his Isaac, and 

God has delivered his only Son to death for us. Refuse 
| nothing to this God of love and tender compassion. The 
| sacrifice « of those things which are most precious to us are 
| the least unworthy of him; and had we a thousand Isaacs 


i “' 


212 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


* 


we ought to keep back none from him. esa the Lord, 
hath heard your prayer and oars. If your Isaac lives, 
may he be devoted to the Lord as Samuel; and may a 
God of Elijah have all the glory of his recovery. If he 
be dead, prepare to follow him, and do not envy him the 
‘sweet repose which he enjoys, ane in which we shall soon 
share with him. 

- Adieu. They forbid my writing, but I will write to 
the last. “Blessed be God, who giveth us the victory 
over death and its pains by Jesus Christ!” In him I amy 
and shall always be, altogether yours. I am your tem 
thousand times obliged friend, JF 


P. S. Your second letter, which reached me when the 
above was written, informs me of your loss—but why 
should I call God’s securiag your son, and giving hint 
eternal life your loss? It is Christ’s gain who sees in that 
sweet child the travail of his childhood, and it is your son’s 
gain, since his conflicts and dangers are now over, and 
nothing awaits him but an eternal increase of happiness, 
Who knows but what God who foresees all the storms of 
corruption and rocks of sin we are likely to meet with in 
the sea of life, has taken your dear child at the best, and 
by this premature death secures him from eternal death? 
Come, then, do not repine. God has made you the instru- 
ment of adding one more little cherub to the heavenly 
host; and in this light you may well say, “The Lord 
gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the 
name of the Lord!” He is better than ten sons. Your son 
in his bosom, and this new cord should now draw yi 
from earth to heaven with a fresh degree of peta 
an irresistible attraction. ve eeomplag 

_ I thank you ten thousand times over, fora your ree 
peated marks of love and Sone to me lenin at the 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 213 


seeming losses into the greatest blessings. May the God 
of all consolation help you to reap the earliest and ripest 
frit of the affliction whereby he gives you a new token of 
your adoption. Remember my kind love, and present my 
best thanks, to Mrs. Ireland. Yours, &c. J.¥. 


— 


LETTER XC. 
Newington, April 21st, 1777- 
MISS PERRONET. 
My Dear Friend, 

A ruovusanp thanks to you for your kind, comfortable 
lines. The prospect of going to see Jesus and his glorified 
members, and among them your dear departed brother, my 
now everlasting friend—this sweet prospect is enough to 
make me quietly and joyfully submit, to leave all my 
Shoreham friends, and all the excellent ones of the earth. 
But why do I talk of going to leave any of Christ’s mem- 
bers, by going"to be more intimately united to the head > 

“ We all are one, who him receive, 

And each with each agree ; ‘ 
In him the One, the Truth we live, 

Blest point of unity !” 

A point this, which fills heaven and earth—which runs 
through time and eternity. What an immense point! In 
it sickness is lost in health, and death in life. There let 
‘us ever meet. There to live is Christ, and to die gain. 

I cannot tell you how much I am obliged to your dear 
brother for all his kind, brotherly attendance as a physi- 
cian. He has given me his time, his long walks, his rem- 
jedies ; he has brought me doctor Turner several times, 
‘and will not so much as allow me to reimburse his expen- .y 
ses. Help me to thank him for all his profusion of love, 
for I cannot sufficiently do it myself. My duty to your 

ther: I throw myself in Spirit at his feet, and ask his 
an interest in his prayers. Tell him that 


214 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


the Lord is gracious to me ; does not suffer the a 
disturb my peace ; and gives me, in prospect, the victory 
over death. Thanks be to God who giveth us this great | 
victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ! Absolute 
nation to the divine will baffles a thousand temptations, 
and confidence in our Saviour carries us sweetly thre 
a thousand trials. God fill us abundantly with both! 
Thank dear Mrs. Bissaker for all her love to my dea 
departed friend; and may our kindred spirits drink d 
er into God, till they are filled with all the fulness, whi 
our enlarged souls can admit. Nor let your neice, 
whom I send my thanks, keep aloof. Let'us all tend to 
our original centre; and experience that life and death 
are ours, because the Prince of Life, who is our resur 
tion and life, has overcome sin, death, and the grave, f 
you, and for your obliged, unworthy brother, J. F. 


LETTER XCII, , 
Brislington, May 28th, 1777. ~ 
MR. AND MRS. GREENWOOD. > 
My very dear friends and benefactors, Charles and 
Mary Greenwood. My prayers shall always be, that the 
merciful may find mercy, and that the great kindness I 
have found under your quiet roof, may be shewn: s 
every where under the canopy of heaven. T think wi 
grateful joy, on the days of calm retreat I have been bles 
sed with at Newington, and lament my not having i 
proved better the opportunity of sitting, like Mary, at 
feet of my great Physician. May he requite your gre 
care to a dying worm, by abundantly caring for ‘you 1 
yours, and making all your bed in your sickness! Ma 
you enjoy full health! May you hunger and thirst after 
righteousness, both that of Christ, and that of the Ho 
Ghost, and be abundantly filled therewith ! May his rod an 
staff comfort you under all the troubles of life, the deca 
é 


fie Mie 


aN ee 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 215 


w 


stlnelbody, the assaults of the, enemy, and the pangs of 
death! May the reviving cordials of the word of truth be- 
ever within the reach of your faith, and may your eager 
faith make a ready and-constant use of them ;- especially, 
when faintings come upon you, and your hands begin to 
hang down! May you stand in the clefis of the rock of 
ages, and there be safely sheltered, when all the storms of 
justice shall fall around! May you have always such tem- 
poral and spiritual helps, friends, and comforts, as I have 
found in your pleasing retreat ! 

- You have received a poor Lazarus, though his sores 
were not visible. You have had compassion, like the 
pood Samaritan: you have admitted me to the enjoyment 
of your best things; and he that did not deserve to have 
the dogs to lick his sores, has always found the members 
of Jesus ready to prevent, to remove, or to bear his bur- 
dens. And now, what shall I say? What, but, “ 'Thanks 
be to God for his unspeakable gift!’ and thanks be.to 
my dear friends for all their favours !—They will, I trust, 
be found faithfully recorded in my breast, “ when the 
great Rewarder of those, who diligently seek him, will 
render to every man according to his works.” Then 
hall a raised Lazarus appear in the gate, to testify of the 
love of Charles and Mary Greenwood, and of their godly 
ister. 

| I thought myself a little better last Sunday—but I have 
ince spit more blood than I had done for weeks before. 
Glory be to God, for every providence! His will be done 
in me, by health, or sickness, by life or death! All from 
im is, and, I trust, will always be, welcome to your 
bliged prisoner, SUE 


216 |“ FAMILIAR LETTERS. + 
LETTER XCM gy 


MR. AND MRS. OREENWOOD. te 


Ten thousand blessings light upon the ‘pacha 
ef my dear benefactors, Charles and Mary Greenwood! 
May their quiet retreat at Newington become a Bethel to 
them ! May their offspring be born again there! and ma 
the choicest consolations of the Spirit visit their minds 
whenever they retire thither from the busy city! Th 
poor pensioner travels on, though slowly, towards 
grave. His journey to the sea seems to him to he av 
hastened, rather than retarded, his progress to his okt 
mother—earth. May every providential blast blow hi 
nearer to the heavenly haven of his Saviour’s breast; 
where, he hopes, one day, to meet all his benefactors, ar 
among them, those whom he now addresses. O my deé 
friends, what shall I render? What to Jesus? What) 
you ?—May He, who invites the heavy laden, take upo 
him all the burdens of kindness you have heaped on y' 
Lazarus! And may angels, when you die, find me 
Abraham’s bosom, and bring you into mine, that, by 
the kindness, which may be shewn in heaven, I may 
‘to requite that you have shewn to your obliged broth 


J. Fe 
—_ 
LETTER XCIV. f 
. Brislington, » 1777. 
MRS. THORNTON, 4i 


My very Dear Friend, ii 

I sHALL not attempt to express my gratitude to you, for 
all your charitable care of a poor sickly worm. As we 
say, that silence speaks often best the praises of our great 
Benefactor, so I must say, here, I hope these lines will 
find you leaving the things that are behind, afd pressing 
forward towards the mark—the prize of our high calling 


; we 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 217 


jearth. In heaven we are called to be filled with all 
ate of the glorious fulness of God, and what that 
s, we know not, but we shall know, if we follow on to 
now the Lord. But here also, we are called to be filled 
vith all the fulness of God. God is love, you know; to 
e filled with all his fulness is, then, to be filled with love. 
) may that love be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy 
shost given to us, and abiding in us! I still look for that 
neffable fulness ; and I beg, if you have not yet attained 
t, you would let nothing damp your hope, and slack your 
ursuit. 

I spend more time in giving my friends an account of 
ny health, than the matter is worth. You will see by 
he enclosed, which I beg’ you would send to the post, ~ 
yhen you have shewn it to Mr. John and Charles Wes- 
ay, if they think it is worth their while to run it over, to 
ee how their poor servant does. 

lam going to do by my poor sister, what you> nage 
‘hy by me—I mean, try to smooth the road of sickness 
9 the chamber of death. Gratitude and blood call me 
9 it—you have done it without such calls; your brother- - 
y kindness is freer than mine ;.but not so free as the love 
f Jesus, who took upon him our nature, that he might bear 
ur infirmities, die our death, and make over to us his 
surrection and his life, after all we have done to render 
fe hateful and death horrible to him. O! for this 
chless love, let rocks and hills, let hearts and tongues 
eak an ungrateful silence; and let your Christian muse 
nd new anthems, and your poetic heart new flights of 
oquence and thankfulness. You partly owe me, by 
ise, a piece of poetry on joy in redeeming and sanc- 
glove. May the spirit of praise assist you mightily 
) the noble work !— Maintain the frame of poetic, chris- 
Bos, by using all your talents of grace and nature, to 
brace and shew forth his goodness. 

Roe ne ‘ T 


218 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


I shall be glad to hear from you in Swans cal 
shall doubly rejoice, if you can send me word, that she, 
who is joined to the Lord according to the glory of the 
new Covenant, is one spirit with him, and enjoys all the 
glorious liberty of the children of God !—The God of 
peace be with you all! I am, my dear friend, &c, J. F. 


LETTER XCV. Fa 
Brislington, ——, 1777. _ 
MRS. THORNTON. % 
My Dear Friend, 

You should have heard from me, if some times want of 
spirits to hold a pen, and for some days, want of paper 
had not stood in the way of my inclination. Now I have 
paper, and a degree of strength, how can I employ both 
better, than in trying to fulfil with my pen the great com- 

jmandment, which contains my duty to God and m 
neighbour ? But what can a pen do here? It can just tes- 
tify what my heart feels—That no words can describe, 
what I owe to my heavenly benefactor, to my earthly 
friends, and to you in particular, whe have had so much 
patience as to stand by me, and bear a share in my bur- 
dens, for so many months at home and abroad. ie 

What shall I say ? Thanks be to’'God for his unspeak- 
able gifts—for Jesus—for the Spirit of Jesus,—for the 
members of Jesus’s mystical body ; and in particular an 
I bound to return thanks for those, who have ministe 

_and still do minister te my wants, and share in my i 
mities. Your meek humility forbids my saying, 
among the many, who, for Christ’s sake, have deb 
themselves so far, as to take up my cross with me, a 
help me to bear it after my Lord, you stand in the fir 

rank, and the first fruits of my gratitude are due to yo 
Simon of Cyrene bore our Lord’s cross 3 by compulsion 
you have borne that of the most unworthy of his servan 


" 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 219 


“ 

“without compulsion: and now what shall I render?—A 
silent tear whispers, I can render nothing. May the mer- 
eiful, faithful God, who has promised, that a cup of cold 
water, given to the least of his followers, shall not lose its 
reward—may that omnipotent God, who sees you in all 
the states of weakness, which await you between the pre- 
sent moment and the hour of death, give you all, that can 
make your life comfortable, your trials tolerable, your 
death triumphant, and your eternity glorious ! 

What I ask for you, I also peculiarly beg for your dear 
brother and sister, who have vouchsafed to bind so dry, 
so insignificant (I had almost said, so rotten) a stick as 
myself, in the bundle of that love, with which they embrace 
the poor, the lame, the helpless, the loathsome, and those, 
who have their sores without, as Lazarus, or within, as I. 
May we all be found bound up together in the bundle of 
life, light, and love, with our Lord! And when he shall 
make up his jewels, may you all shine among his diamonds 
‘of the finest water and the first magnitude. 

You want, possibly, to know how I go on. Though I 
am not worth a line, I shall observe, to the glory of my 
patient, merciful Preserver and Redeemer, that I am kept 
in sweet peace, and am looking for the triumphant joy of 
my Lord, and for the fulness exprest in these words, which 
sweetly filledthe sleepless hours of last night— — 

‘“‘ Drawn—and redeem’d—and seal’d, 
I bless the One in Three; 
With Father, Son, and Spirit fill’d, 
To all eternity.” 

With respect to my body, I sleep less, and spit more 
blood than I did, when you were here, nor can I bear the 
least trot of an easy horse. If this continues many days, 

of thinking to go and see my friends on the conti- 

it, I shall turn my steps to my earthly home, to be 
to lay my bones in my church-yard: and in such a 
= I shal] put you ip mind of your kind promise, that 


= Oo. a. 
220 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


you would do to the last the office of a 
—hold up my hands in my last conflict, and close my eyes, 

when it is over. Two of my parishioners came to convey 
me safe home, and had persuaded me to go with them in a 
post-chaise ; but I had so bad a night before the day I was 
to set out, that I gave it up. My prospects and ways are 
shut up, so that Ihave nothing to look at but Jesus and the 
grave.. May I so look at them, as to live in my resur- 
rection and my life; and die in all the meekness and 
holiness of my Lord and my all! I humbly request a con- 
tinued interest in your fervent prayers, that I may be 
found completely ready, when my Lord’s messenger 
come for my soul. Adieu my dear friend. God 
and reward you. I am, your most affectionate friend 
brother, J.-F 


LETTER XCVI. q 
Madely, October 21st, WT. 
TO THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. 
Honoured and dear madam, 

Tue honour of your christian letter humbles me, ail 
the idea of your taking half a dozen steps, much more that 
of your taking’ a journey to consult so mean a creature, | 
lays me in the dust. My brothers and sisters invite me 
to breathe once more my natal air, and the physicians’ 
recommend to me a journey to the continent. I wait 
for the last intimations of Providence to determine me to 
go. If Ido, I shall, probably pass through London, and, 
in that case I could have the honour of waiting upon you. 
I say, probably, because I shall only follow my ee 
and a serious family, which goes to spend the winter in 


and at their return, I shall know their determinat tion 
be able to fix the time, when I might have it i 


~ 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 221 


to wait upon you, madam, either at your house, or at our 
dear friend’s in St. James’s Place. 

\ With respect to the hints you drop in your letter, con- 
cerning your external circumstances, I find it upon my 
heart, to say, Abide in the state, in which you have been 
called, till Providence make a way for you to escape out 
of what may be contrary to your new taste. Your cross 
has changed its nature with yotr heart; and we may, in 
some cases, be called to take up a worldly, as well as a 
heavenly cross. Joseph and Moses did so once in Egypt, 
Esther in Susa, Daniel in Babylon, John the Baptist, at 
Herod’s court, and our Lord in the house of the rich 
Pharisee. Some great end, to yourself, or to others, may 
be answered by patiently bearing your worldly cross, till 
it be taken from you, or you are removed from under it. 
Continue to make it matter of earnest prayer to know the 
will of God concerning you; and whilst your eye watches 
the motions of the providential cloud, and your heart 
listens for the Lord’s call, endeavour to keep your will as 
an even balance at his feet, that the least grain of intima- 
tion—clear intimation from him, and the least distinct 
touch of the hand of Providence, may turn the scale either 
way, without resistance on your part. Being thus fully 
persuaded, you will do, and suffer all, with the liberty and 
‘courage of faith. 

You have been afflicted as well as dear Mrs. G—~, 
Mrs. L , and myself. May our maladies yield the 
peaceable fruits of righteousness—complete deadness to 
the world, and increased faith in the mercy, love, and 
ipower of Him, who supports under the greatest trials, and 
ican make our extremity of weakness, an opportunity of 
\displaying the freeness of his grace, and the greatness of 
his power. Give my duty and thanks to them, and tell 
them, that I salute them under the cross, with the sympa- 
thy of a companion in tribulation; and rejoice at the 
thought of doing it, where the cross shall be exchanged 
T 2 


222 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


for the crown. In the mean time, let us gloryin the eross 
of our common head; and firmly believe, that he is 
exalted to give us whatever is best for us, in life, in death, 
and for ever. , 2 Ae 

I have taken the bark for some days, and it seems t0 
have been blessed to the removal of my spitting blood. 
Time will decide, whether it be a real removal, or only 
a suspension of that symptom. Either will prove a 
blessing, as his will is our health. 'To live singly to God, 
the best method is to desire it in meekness 5. to spread the 
desire in quietness before him who inspireth its to offer 
him now all we have and are, as we can; and to open 
our mouth of expectation wide, that he may either fill it 
with good things, with all his fulness, or that he may 
our patience, and teach us to know our total helplessne 
With respect to the weeping frame of repentance, and the 
_ joyous one of faith, they are both good alternately ; but 
the latter is the better of the two, because it enables us to 
do, and suffer, and praise, which honours Christ more; 
both are happily mixed. May they be so in you, madam, 
and.in. your unworthy and obliged servant, = J. F. 


LETTER XCVII. % 
Macon, in Burgundy, May 17th, 1778. 


THE REV. MESSRS. JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY. 
Rev. and Dear Sirs, aot 
1 wore that while I lie by, like a broken vessel, the 
Lord continues to renew your vigour, and sends you to 
water his vineyard, and to stand in the gap against error 
and vice. I have recovered some strength, 
God, since I came to the Continent; but have lately had 
another attack of my old cotssiaisatis However, 
myself better again, though I think ik it per adviseatile motto 


speak i pit public. Th he See be 


ae A A hie ms 


FAMILIAR LETTERS, 223 


» I preached twice at Marseilles, but was not permitted 
to follow the blow. There are a few noble, inquisitive 
Bereans in these parts. The ministers in the town of my 
‘Nativity have been very civil. They have offered me the 
pulpit ; but I fear, if I could accept the offer it would 
soon be recalled. I am loath to quit this part of the field 
without casting a stone at that giant, Sin, who stalks about 
with uncommon boldness. I shall, therefore, stay some 
months longer to see if the Lord will please to give me a 
little more strength to venture an attack. 

Gaming and dress, sinful pleasure and love of money, 
unbelief and false philosophy, lightness- of spirit, fear of 
man, and love of the world, are the principal sins, by 
which Satan binds his captives in these parts. Material- 
ism is not rare; Deism and Socinianism are very com- 
‘mon; and a set of free-thinkers, great admirers of Vol- 
taire and Rosseau, Bayle and Mirabeau, seem bent upon 
destroying christianity and government. “With one hand 
{said a lawyer, who has written something against them) 
they shake the throne, and with the other they throw down 
the altars.” If we believe them, the world is the dupe of 
kings and priests. Religion is fanaticism, and superstition. 
Subordination is slavery and'tyranny. Christian morality 
is absurd, unnatural, and impracticable; and christianity 
the most bloody religion that ever was. And here it is 
certain, that by the example of Christians so called, and 
by our continual disputes, they have a great advantage, 

and do the truth immense mischief. Popery will certainly 
fall in France; in this-or next century; and, I make no 
doubt, God will use these vain men, to bring about a 
reformation here, as he used Henry the Eighth to do that 
| work in England: so the madness of his enemies shall, at 
ast, turn to his praise, and to the furtherance of his king: 
‘dom, 2.048 
In the mean time, it becomes all lovers of the truth, to 
| make their heavenly tempers, and’ humble, peaceful: love 


——— > 


224 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


to shine before all men, that those mighty adversaries, 
seeing the good works of professors, may glorify their 
Father who is in heaven, and no more. blaspheme that 
worthy name, by which we are all called, Christians, 

If you ask, What system these men adopt? I answer, 
that some build on Deism, a morality founded on self-pre- 
servation, self-interest, and self-honour. Others laugh at 
all morality, except that, which being neglected, violently 
disturbs society ; and external order is the decent covering 
of fatalism, while materialism,is their system. v4 

O dear sirs, let me entreat you, in these dangerous 
days, to use your wide influence, with unabated zeal, 
against the scheme of these modern Celsuses, Porphiries, 
and Julians; by ealling all professors to think and speak 
the same things, to love and embrace one another, and 
to stand firmly embodied to resist those daring men; 
many of whom are already in England, headed by the 
admirers of Mr. Hume and Mr. Hobbes. But it is need- 
less to say this, to those who have made, and continue to 
make, such a stand for vital Christianity: so that I have 
nothing to do but pray, that the Lord would abundantly 
support and strengthen you to the last, and make youa 
‘continued comfort to his enlightened people, loving 
reprovers of those who mix light and darkness, and a terror 
to the perverse: and this is the cordial prayer of, Rev, 
and dear sirs, your affectionate son, and obliged servant, 
in the gospel, ‘ JF. 

P. S. I need not tell you, sirs, any the hour in which 
Providence shall make my way plain to return to Eng. 
Jand, to unite with the happy number of those who feel, 
or seek the power of Christian godliness, will be weleome 
tome. O favoured Britons! Happy would it be for them, 
if they knew their gospel privileges! My relations ia | 
Adam are all very kind to me; but the spiritual relations, 
whom God has raised me in England, exceed them yet. 
Thanks be to Christ, and to his blasphemed religion! 


— = ae FE . os 
: 4 
* 
‘ 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 225 


v4 LETTER, XCVIII. 
Macon, in Burgundy, May 18th, 1778. 
‘THE REY. DR. CONVERS. 
Hon. and dear Sir, 

I pert orders with a friend to send you a little book, 
called “The Reconciliation ;” in which I endeavour to 
bring nearer the children of God, who are divided about 
their partial views of divine truths. I do not know wheth- 
er that tract has in any degree answered its design; but 
I believe truth can be reconciled with itself, and the can- 
did. children of God one with another. _O that some 
abler hand, and more loving heart, would undertake to 
mend my plan, if it be worth mending, or draw one more — 
agreeable to the word of God! My eyes are upon you, dear 
sir, and those who are like minded with you, for this 
work; disappoint me not of my hope. - Stand forth, 
and make way for reconciling love, by removing (so far as 
lies in you) what is in the way of brotherly union. Q sir, 
the work is worthy of you! and if you saw, with what 
boldness the false philosophers of the.Continent, who are 
the apostles of the age, attack Christianity, and represent 
it as one of the worst religions in the world, and fit only 
to make the professors of it murder one another, or at 
east to contend among themselves; and how they urge 
ur disputes to make the gospel of Christ the jest of na- 
tions, and the abhorrence of all flesh, you would break 
ough your natural timidity, and invite all our brethren 
in the ministry, to do what the herds do on the Swiss 
mountains, when wolves attack them; instead of goring 
me another, they unite, form a close battalion, and face 
the commen enemy on all sides. What a shame would 
it be, if cows and bulls shewed more prudence, and more 
ead for union, than Christians and gospel-ministers! _ 

| O dear sir, take courrge! Be bold for the reconciling 
ruth. Be bold for peace. You can.do -all things, 


226 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


through Christ strengthening you ! and as Doctor Conyers, 
you can do many things,—a great many more than you 
think. What if you go, sir, in Christ’s name, au the 
- gospel ministers of your acquaintance, exhort them as a 
father, entreat them as a brother, and bring them, or as 
many of them as you can, together; think you that your 
labour would be in vain in the Lord? Impossible, sir! O 
despair not! Charity hopeth all things, and, as Kempis 
saith, “It trieth all things, and bringeth masyiahoaias 
pass, which would appear impossible to him who des- 
paireth, hateth or careth not for the sheep.” 
If you want a coach, or a friend to accompany you, 
when you go upon this errand of love, remember there is 
a Thorton in London, and an Ireland in Bristol, who 
will wish you God speed, and make your way plain be 
fore you; and God will raise many more to concur in 1 
peaceful work. Let me humbly intreat ‘you to go to v 
and to persevere in it. I wish I had strength to be 
least your postilion when you go. I would 2, if 
like Jehu, at least with some degree of cheerful swiftn 
while Christ smiled on the Christian attempt. But I 
confident you can do all in the absence, and without 
concurrence of him, who is, with brotherly love, 
dutiful respect, Hon. and dear wy your obedient servant 


in the gospel. J. hp 
— be All 
om 
LETTER XCIX. 
_Nayon, June 2d, 1778, 
MR. WILLIAM PERRONET. é 
My Dear Friend, ape 


Wien I wrote to you last, I esenillinanlahotaail 
your family, who have married ‘two brothers, Messrs. 
Monod. Since that time, they have requested me to 
send to your father the enclosed memorial, which I 
hope will prove of use to your family. As the bad writ- 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 227 


ing and the language may make the understanding of it 
difficult to you, I send you the substance of it, and of the 
letter of the ladies’ lawyer, as follows.—* m * 
* * * home * * * 

While I invite you to make your title clear to a precari- 
ous estate on earth, permit me, my dear sir, to remind you 
of the heavenly inheritance entailed on believers. The 
will, the New Testament, by which we can recover it, 
is proved. The court is just and equitable, the Judge is 
gracious and loving. To enter into possession of a part 
of the estate here, and of the whole hereafter, we need 
only believe, and prove evangelically, that we are believ- 
ers. Let us, then, set about it now, with earnestness, with 
perseverance, and with a full assurance, that, through grace, - 
we shall infallibly carry our cause. Alas! what are estates 
and crowns, to grace and glory? The Lord grant, that we, 
and all our friends, may chuse the better part, which your 
brother, my dear friend, so happily chose. And may, we. 
firmly stand to the choice, as he did, to the last. My best 
respects wait upon your dear father, your sisters, and 
nieces. God reward your kindness to me upon them all! 

I have had a pull back since I wrote last. After I left 
Mr. Ireland at Macon, to shorten my journey and enjoy 
new prospects, I ventured to cross the mountains, which 
separate France from this country. But on the third day 
of the journey, I found an unexpected trial; a large hill, 
‘whose winding roads were so steep, that though we fed 
the horses with bread and wine, they could scarcely draw 
‘the chaise, obliged me to walk in all the steepest places. 
/The climbing lasted several hours, the sun was hot, I per- 
| spired violently, and the next day I spit blood again. I 
thave chiefly kept to goat’s milk ever since, and hope I 
‘shall get over this death also, because I find myself, bless- 
led be God, better again, and my cough is neither frequent 
hows violent. 


228° FAMILIAR LETTERS. _ 


This is a.delightful country. If you come to see ity 
and claim the estate, bring all the papers and memorials 
your father can collect, and come to share a pleasa 
apartment, and one of the finest prospects in the we 
in the house where I was born. God bless. you, my de 
friend! Believe me dear sir, &c. 


1 - 
: ~ 
= ae 


Ay 
LETTER C. in a 

Nyon, July 15th, ime. 4 

JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. : & 

My Dear Friend, 49 


I HAVE ventured to preach once, and to expound once i 
the church. - Our ministers are very kind and preach 
the purpose : a young one of this town gave us lately 
very excellect gospel sermon. Grown up people 
fast in their stupidity, or in their self-righteousness. “ 
day I preached, I met with some children in my wo 
walking or gathering strawberries. te 

I spoke to them about our Father, our common Fath 
—We felt a touch of brotherly affection. They said 
would sing to their Father, as well as the birds ;. 
followed me, atlempting to make such melody as y 
know is commonly made in these parts. I out-rode them, 
but some of them had the patience to follow me home; | 
and said, they would speak with me; but the people. of 
the house stopt them, saying, I would not be troubled wii 
children. They cried and said, “They were sure 
would not say so, for I was their good brother.” The 
next day, when I heard it, I inquired after them, and in 
vited them to come.to me; which they have done every 
day since. I make them little hymns which they a 
Some of them are under sweet drawings. Yesterday I 
wept for joy, on hearing one speak of conviction of sin, 
and joy unspeakable in Christ which had followed, as” 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 229 


would de an experienced believer in Bristol. Last Sun- 
day I met them in the wood: there were one hundred 
of them, and as many adults. Our first Pastor has since 
desired me to desist from preaching in the wood, (for I 
hhad exhorted) for fear of giving umbrage; and I have 
complied from a concurrence of circumstances which are 
not worth mentioning: I therefore meet them in my 
father’s yard. é 

In one of my letters, I promised you some anecdotes, 
concerning the death of our two great philosophers, Vol- 
taire and Rosseau. Mr. Thronchin, the physician of the 
Duke of Orleans, being sent for to attend Voltaire in his ’ 
illness at Paris, Voltaire said to him, “ Sir, I desire you 
would save my life. I will give you the half of my for- - 
tune, if you lengthen out my days only for six months. 
If not, I shall go to the devil, and shall carry you away 
along with me.” 
_ Mr. Rosseau died more decently, as full of himself as 
/Voltaire was of the wicked one. He paid that attention 
to nature and the natural sun, which the Christian pays to 
grace and the Sun of Righteousness. These are some of 
his last words to his wife, which I copy from a_ printed 
letter circulating in these parts. “ Open the window, that 
I may see the green fields once more. How beautiful is 
nature! How wonderful is the sun! See that glorious 
light it sends forth! It is God, who calls me.—How 
pleasing is death, to a man who is not conscious of any 
sin! O God! my soul is now as pure as when it first came 
out of thy hands: crown it with thy heavenly bliss !”— 
God deliver us from self and Satan, the internal and ex- 
‘ternal fiend! The Lord forbid we should fall into the 
snare of the Sadducees, with the former of those two 
famous men, or into that of the Phases with the latter. 


‘Farewell in Jesus, Ji. 
? 


230 FAMILIAR LETTERS. S 
LETTER Cl » 
N yon, September 25th, 78. 
JAMES IRELAND, EsQ. i 
My Dear Friend, vas 


I am just returned from an excursion I made v 
brother, through the fine vale, in the midst of the high 
hills, which divides France from this country. In that 
vale we found three lakes, one on French sound aa 
two on Swiss; the largest is six miles long and two wi 
- It is the part of the countgy where industry is most 

rent, and where population thrives best. The inhabi 
“are chiefly woodmen, coopers, watch-makers and ia 
lers. They told me, they had the best singing, and 
best preacher in the country. I asked, if any sin 
were converted under his ministry? They stared, 
asked, “ What I meant by conversion?” When I 
explained myself, they said, “ We did not live in the a 
of miracles.” 

I was better satisfied in passing through a part of tl 
vale which belongs to the King of France. I saw a) 
digious concourse of people, and supposed they kept 
fair, but was agreeably surprised to find it was th 
Missionaries, who went about as itinerant preachers 
help the regular clergy. They had been there already 
some days, and were three brothers who preached mo! 
ing and evening. The evening service opened by w 
they called a conference. One of the Missionaries 
the pulpit, and the parish priest proposed questions 
him, which he answered at full length and in a very e 
fying manner. The subject was the unlawfulness and the 
mischief of those methods, by which persons of different | 
sexes lay snares for each other, and corrupt each other’s | 
morals. The subject was treated with delicacy, propriety 
and truth. The method was admirably well calculated to 
draw and fix the attention of a mixed multitude. This 


~~ 
a 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 234 


conference being ended, another Missionary took the pul- 
pit. His text was our Lord’s description of the day of 
judgment. Before the sermon, all those, who, for the 
press, could kneel, did, and sung a French hymn to beg a 
Blessing upon the word; and indeed it was blessed. An 
awful attention was visible upon most, and for a goud 
part of the discourse, the voice of the preacher was almost 
lost in the cries and bitter wailings of the audience. When 
the outery began, the preacher was describing the depart- 
ure of the wicked into eternal fire. They urged that 
God was merciful, and that Jesus Christ had shed his 
blood for them. But that mercy you have slighted (re- 
plied the Judge) and now is the time of justice; that 
blood you have trodden under foot, and now it cries for 
vengeance. Know your day—slight the Father’s mercy — 
‘and the Son’s blood no longer.” I have seen but once or 
twice congregations as much affected in England. 
~ One of our ministers being ill, I ventured a second time 
into the pulpit last Sunday; and the Sunday before, I 
preached six miles off to two thousand people in a jaik 
yard, where they were to come to see a poor murderer 
two days before his execution. I was a little abused by 
the bailiff on the occasion, and refused the liberiy of attend- 
ing the poor man to the scaffold, where he was to be broken 
on the wheel. I hope he died penitent. The day before 
he suffered, he said he had broke his irons, and that as he 
deserved to die, he desired new ones to be put on, lest he 
should be tempted to make his escape a second time. 
You ask, what I designed to do? I propose, if it be the 
" Lord’s will, to spend a winter here, to bear my testimony 
against the trade of my countrymen, which Voltaire de- 
scribes thus— 
Barbares, dont la guerre est l’unique metier, 
Et qui vendent leur sang.a qui veut lepaier. 
In the spring I shall, if nothing prevents, return to En- 
gland with you, or with Mr. Perronet, if his affairs are 


ar | 


232 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 2 ; 


settled, or alone if other ways fail. In*the*ieéen while, I 
rejoice with you in Jesus, and in the glorious hope of that 
complete salvation his faithfulness has promised, and his 
power can never be at a loss to bestow. We must be 
saved by faith and hope till we are saved by pesecaiaey 
and made partakers of heavenly glory. 

I am truly astranger here. Well, then, as 
let us go where we shall meet the assembly of the 


ous gathered in Jesus. Farewell in him, you and you 
J.F 


LETTER CH. , ° 
Nyon, February 2d, 1779. 


JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, 

I am sorry to hear that you are still tried by illn 
but our good heavenly Father will have us to live wi 
one foot on the earth, and the other in the stirrup of our 
infirmities, ready to mount and pass from time into 
eternity. He is wise; his will be done, his name prais- 
ed, and our souls saved, though it be by the skin of ou 
teeth. ‘- 
» Lam better, thank God, and ride out every day v 
the slippery roads will permit me to venture without the 
risk of breaking my horse’s legs and my own neck. Yotl 
will ask me how I have spent my time? I pray, have 
patience, rejoice, and write when I can; I saw wood 4 
the house when I cannot go out, and eat grapes, of which 
T have always a basket by me. Our little Lord Lieuten- 
ant has forbidden the ministers to let me exhort in the 
parsonage because it is the Sovereign’s house. My second 
brother has addressed a memorial to him, in which he in- 
forms him, that he will give up neither his religious nor 
civil liberty, and will open his house for the word of God; 
and accordingly we have since met at his house. 2 On 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 238 


Sunday we met at the young clergyman’s, who, on his 
part, writes against the conduct of the clergy; but I fear 
we fence against a wall of brass. Hlowever, I am quite 
persuaded, that Providence calls me to leave a testimony 
to my French brethren, and it may be of some use when 
I shall be no more. I have been comforted by seeing 
the Apology of a Minister at Yverdon, who was persecu- 
ted in the beginning of this century under the name of 
Pietist. I have got acquainted with a faithful Minister of 
Geneva, but he dares no more offer me his pulpit than 
my brother-in-law at Lausanne. 

The Lord was not in the forwardness of the young man 
I mentioned. It was but a fire of straw; and he has 
now avoided me for some weeks. Several young women 
seem to have received the word in the love of it, and four 
or five grown up ones; but not one man, except the young 
hopeful clergyman I mention, who helps me at my little 
meetings and begins to preach extempore. I hope he will 
stand his ground better than he, who was such an appro- 
ver when you were here, and is now dying, after having 
drawn back to the world. 

The truths I chiefly insist upon, when I talk to the peo- 
ple who will hear me, are those which I feed upon myself 
as my daily bread—“ God, our. Maker and Preserver, 
though invisible, is here and every where. He is our 
chief good, because all beauty and all goodness centers in, 
and flows from, him. He is especially Love, and love in 
us, being his image, is the sum and substance of all moral 
and spiritual excellence—of all true and lasting bliss —In 
Adam we are all estranged from love and from God; but _ 
the second Adam, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, is 
come to make us know and enjoy again our God as the 
God of love and the chief good. All who receive Jesus, 
receive power to become the sons of God, &c. &c.” 

I hope I shall be able to set out for England with Mr. 
Perronet in April or May. O that I may find that dear 

v2 


234 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


island in peace within and without! Well, I hope you 
make peace in the Church if you cannot make peace with 
the patriots—God is a good God: do you know the coats 
and shoes you gave me have lasted all this while, and are 
yet good; so that I need not draw upon your banker.—. 
Thank God and you for a thousand favours! God bless 
and comfort you my dear friend! We are poor creatures, 
' but we have a good God to cast all our burdens upon, and 
who often burdens us that we may have our constant 
free recourse to his bounty, power, and faithfuln 
Stand fast in the faith. Believe lovingly and all will 
well. Farewell. : J. A@ 
LETTER Cll. A 
Nyon, May 22d, 1779. 8 


MR. CHARLES GREENWOOD. 
My Dear Friend, 

I am yet alive, able to ride out, and now and then to 
instruct a few children. I hope Mr. Perronet will soon 
have settled his affairs, and then, please God, I shall in- 
form you by word of mouth, how much I am indebted to 
you, Mrs. Greenwood, and Mrs. ‘Thornton. I know it 
much the more now, as | have made trial of the kindnes 
of my relations in Adam; those in Christ exceed them a 
far, in my account, as grace does nature. Thank 
salute them earnestly from me; and to those of your own 
household, please to add Mr. John and Charles W 
Dr. Coke, Mr. Atlay, &c. That the Lord would fill you 
with all his choicest blessings, as you have done me, is, 
my dear friend, the earnest prayer of your poor pensioner, 

J. Pug 

P. S. Mr. Perronet wants me to fill up his letter. I 
would gladly do it, with thanks to God for his unspeaka- 
ble gifts—his Son, his Spirit, and his word! And thanks 
be to his people, for their kindness towards the poor, the 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 239 


sick, the stranger, and especially towards me! But at 
this time, a sleepless night and a constant tooth-ache, unfit 
me for almost every thing, but lying down under the cross, 
kissing the rod, and rejoicing in hope of a better state, in 
this world or in the next. But, perhaps, weakness and 
pain are the best for me in this werld. Well, the Lord 
will chuse for me, and IJ fully set my heart and seal to his 
choice. Let us not faint in the day of adversity. The 
Lord tries us, that our faith may be found purged of all 
the dross of self-will, and. may work by that love, which 
beareth all things, and thinketh evil of nothing. Our call- 
ing is to follow the crucified, and we must be crucified 
with him, until body and soul know the power of his re- 
surrection, and pain and death are done away. 

‘I hope my dear friend will make, with me, a constant 
choice of the following mottos of St. Paul—“ Christ is gain 
in life and death—our life is hid with Christ in God—If 
we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him—We 
glory in tribulation—God will give us rest with Christ, in 
that day—We are saved by hope.” And that Miss 
Thornton will always, by word and deed, stand to her 
motto, and rejoice in the Lord our God, Creator, Redeem- 
er and Sanctifier. To him let us give glory in the fires. 
Amen. 


LETTER CIV. 
Nyon, December 15th, 1779. 


TO A NOBLEMAN. 
My Lord, 

Ir the American Colonies and the West-India islands 
are rent from the crown there will not grow one ear of 
corn the less in Great Britain. We shall still have the neces- 
saries of life, and, what is more, the gospel and liberty 

to hear it. If the great springs of trade and wealth are 
ut off, good men will bear that loss without much sorrow ; 


236 FAMILIAR LETTERS. : 


for the springs of wealth are always spri f luxury, 
which, sooner or later, destroy the eee by 
wealth. Moral good may come out of our losses: I wish 
you may see it in England. People on the continent im- 
agine they see it already in the English on their travels, 
who are said to behave with more wisdom, and less haugh- 
tiness, than they were used to do. : 

Last year saw the death of three great men of he 
parts—Rosseau, Voltaire, and Baron Haller, a senator 
Berne. The last, who is not much known, I think, ini 
England, was a great philosopher, a profound politician, 
and an agreeable poet ; but he was particularly famous for 
his skill in botany, anatomy and physic. He has enrich- 
ed the republic of letters by such a number of publications 
in Latin and German, that the catalogue of them is alone 
a pamphlet. 

This truly great man has given another proof of thet 
truth of Lord Bacon’s assertion, that “although smatter- 
ers in philosophy are often impious, true philosophers are 
always religious.” I have met with an old, pious, apostol- 
ic clergyman, who was intimate with the Baron, and used” 
to accompany him over the Alps, in his rambles after the 
wonders of nature. ‘ With what pleasure, said the minis- 
ter, did we admire and adore the wisdom of the God 
nature, and sanctify our researches by the sweet prai 
of the God of grace !” 

When the emperor passed this way, he stabbed Vol 
to the heart, by not paying him a visit; but he waited 
Haller, was two hours with him, and heard from him 
pious talk, as he never heard from half the philosophers 
of the age. The Baron was then ill of the disorder, which 
afterwards carried him off. 

Upon his death bed, he went through sore conflits about | 
his interest in Christ ; and sent to the old minister, re- 
questing his most fervent prayers, and wishing him to find 
the way through the dark valley smoother than he found 


—" we =" 
3 


- FAMILIAR LETTERS. 237 


it himself. However, in his last moments, he expressed 
arenewed confidence in God’s mercy, through Christ, and 
died in peace. The old clergyman added, that he thought 
the Baron went through this conflict, to humble him tho- 
roughly, and, perhaps, to chastise him for having some- 
times given way to a degree of self-complaisence, at the 
thought of his amazing parts, and of the respect they pro- 
cared him from the learned world. He was obliged to 
become last in his own eyes, that he might become first 
and truly great in the sight of the Lord. Iam, my lord, 
&c. JaF, 
= 


.. ‘% LETFER Cv. 
Madeley, September 3d, 1781. 


THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. 


My much honoured Lady, 

Two days ago, I came here, after an absence of above a 
month; and yesterday I received the honour of your let- 
ter without date, which has been, I am told, waiting here 
some time. What a pity I did not rejoice sooner in the 
good news you send me, that you desire to be entirely 
devoted to God. Indeed, complaints follow ; but heaven 
is in that holy desire. If you cultivate it, it will produce 
all that conformity to a holy God, which love can bring 
to a human soul, called to partake of the divine nature.— 
As for your complaints, they are the natural expressions 
fof that repentance, which precedes, in our hearts, the 
|coming of the comforter, who is to abide with us for ever. 
[I am ready to rejoice, or to mourn with my honoured 
friend, and I have abundant cause to do both, with respect 
ito myself, my ministrations, the church, and my people. 

And will you, indeed, find it in your heart to honour 
my house with your presence, and perfume also with your 
prayers the plain apartments occupied by your friend 


238 ~ FAMILIAR LETTERS. , 
Johnson? I wonder at nothing on earth, when I consider 
the condescension with which Emmanuel came n from 


heaven, and filled a stable with his glory. Your time, my 
condescending friend, will suit me best. You will be 
queen in my hermitage, the Lord will rule in our hearts, 
and you will command under him within our walls. You 
smile, perhaps, at the vastness of your new empire ; 
if you can be content arid happy m°God in my homely 
solitude, you will make greater advances towards bli 
_than if you obtained the principality of Wales. Butll 
you cannot be happy with Jesus, prayer, praise, godly 
conversation and retirement, expect a disappointment.— 
However, my honoured friengyif Y9u come, come as the 
serious Catholics go on a pilgrimage, as French noblemen 
go to the Carthusian convent at La Trape, as the French 
king’s aunts went to the Carmelites :—come and do evan- 
gelical pennance. Our good friend, Johnson, will tell y 
of an upper room, where we crucify our old man, and <a 
had many a visit from the new. If you do not bring her 
with you, bring her faith, which brought him down, anil 
then you shall not pine for the company of earthly princes. 
The prince of peace and life himself will keep his court 
in our cottage, and your heart shall be one of his tie 
thrones. 7 
I hope, my lady, you will bring us good-news of o 
friends in St. James’s Place, My heart visits them oftel 
and if bodies could move as quick as thought, they wo 
be importuned frequently with my company. If y 
write to them before I do, convey my christian and gratefi ; 
love in your letter, and accept it yourself, fronv my hon 
oured and dear lady, your dutiful servant im Christ, 
5, Pos 


— - > 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. . 239 
LETTER CVI. 
Madeley, September 4th, 1781. 


MISS PERRONET. 


My Dear Friend, : a 
You want “some thoughts on the love of God,” and T 
vant the warmest feelings of it. Let us believe his crea- 
ing, feel his preserving, admire his redeeming, and triumph 
n his sanctifying love. Loving is the best way to grow 
n love. Look we, then, at the love of our heavenly Fath- 
r, shining in the face of our elder brother, and we shall 
e changed into love, his image and nature, from one glo- 
ious, and glorifying degree of love to one another. Love 
Iways delights in the object loved. “ Delight thou in — 
he Lord, then, and thou shalt have thy heart’s desire ;” 
or we can desire nothing more than the supreme good, 
ind infinite bliss: both arein God. When, therefore, we 
ove God truly,,we delight in what he is, we share in his 
nfinite happiness; and, by divine sympathy, his throne of 
slory becomes ours; for true love rejoices in all the joy of the 
ybject it cleavesto. Add to this, that, when we love God, 
we have always our heart’s desire ; for we love his will, 
nis desires become ours, and ours are always perfectly re- 
signed to his. Now as God does whatever he pleases, 
both in heaven and earth, his lovers have always their 
heart’s desire, forasmuch as they always have his will, 
which is theirs. Submitting our private will to his, is only 
preferring a greater good to a less, as our Lord did in the 
garden; and we are all called to do it in afflictions. Fare- 
well, my dear friend, and excuse these reflections, which 
you could make much better than your humble servant, 
: 7% Thai 


os 


240. PAMILIAR LETTERS. . 
LETTER CVI. 4 
| Madeley, Sept. 29, 1781. 


THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. 
My Dear and honoured Friend, 

_ You have been in the fire of affliction, wwii faith is 
ited; where patient hope is exercised, and where sions 
love, which casts out fear, and endureth all things, 
proved worthy of him who made bare his breast, a 
said to his Father, “ Lo! Icome to do thy will, 0 God! 
I come to be obedient unto death, even the painful, shamefi 
death of the cross. : 

Continue to offer your body as a living, or, if it ple 
God, as a lingering, dying sacrifice to him, who has d 
creed, that if we will reign with Christ, we must suffer 
with him. This is our reasonable service ; for it would 
be absurd, that our Lord should have been perfected by 

_ sufferings, thorns, and the cross, and that we should have 
nothing but enjoyment, roses, and a crown. How faith- 
ful, how merciful is our God! He brings you once more 
from the verge cf eternity: well, my dear friend, I wel- 
come you back into life, and into the enjoyment of farther 
opportunities of receiving and doing good—of growing ih 
grace, and perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. 4, 

Chastened, spared like you, and more and more ¢ 
vinced, that I am helplessness itself, and that there is h 
laid on our Surety and Saviour for us, I invite you 
say with me—“ When I am weak, Christ my life, is 
strong still:- for me to live shall be Christ, ‘and to die 
gain.” Dear madam, to know the bare cross is uncom4 
fortable ; but to know and gather the fruit of that tree, is 
life from the dead, it is more abundant life after fainting 
Let us then er. i. e. consider, and embrace Jesu 
Christ, crucified to make an end of sins his sheddi ¢ 
tears, and his most precious blood, to cleanse us from all 
sin; to trace again the divine image, goodness, love, and 

‘ happiness on our souls, and to seal our ia to glory; 

oe . eke ee 


5 


— 


: FAMILIAR LETTERS. 241 


_ “Not a text,” say you, “came to me, only I knew 
fione perished at his feet :” then, you remembered Christ, 
the sum and substance of all the scriptures ; then you be- 
lieved on him, in whom all the sweetest texts, and all the 
promises are yea, and amen. O believe more steadily, 
more confidently. | Dare even to obey the apostolic pre- 
cept, “ Reckon yourself dead indeed, unto sin, but alive 
to God by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Embrace with more 
earnestness, the righteousness of faith, and you will have 
more peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rejoice in Christ, 
your peace; yea, rejoice in God, your Saviour ; and if there 
is a needs be, for your being in heaviness for a season, re- 
joice in tribulation: sorrowful, but always rejoicing. 
“When I am destitute of all comfort, this shall yield me - 
comfort,” says Kempis, “ That thy will is done.” If Abra- 
ham believed in hope, against hope, that is, against human, 
natural hope; can.you not, through grace, as a daughter of 
Abraham, rejoice in heavenly hope against al] natural feel=” 
ings, and even against all temptations ?>—Count it all joy, 
says St. James, when you fall into divers temptations and 

‘trials. Don’t be afraid of the storm: Christ is in the ship, 
and he does not sleep, as unbelief is apt to fancy. 

I thank you, my dear lady, for your friendly wish of 

leaving your clay here. I return it, by wishing you may 
leave all the body of sin, now, in that mysterious grotto of 
mount Calvary, where myriads of sinners have buried 
their doubts, their fears, and their old man. Prop up 
your clay a little longer: for I want to sing with you, 
|“ Salvation to God and the Lamb.” I want you to help 
me, with the understanding and the voice, to witness, that 
Jesus saves to the uttermost, all who come to Ged through 
him; that he can, not only make an end of sin, but bring 
in an everlasting, triumphant righteousness. 
I am not without hope of seeing you in London, before 
You see your future hermitage. All my brotherly love 
goes to town, and salutes you and your good nurses, Mrs. 
4 


242 FAMILIAR LETTERS- 

C——, Mrs. , Mrs. » Mrs. L——}; to whose 
continued care, as well as to that of our dear Redeemer, F_ 
earnestly recommend you. I am, my dear lady, your obe- 


dient, affectionate servant, J.¥. 


LETTER CVI. 
Cross Hall, Yorkshire, Dec. 26th, 1781. 


THE HON. MRS. C 


My very Dear Friend, . 
Your favour of the 4th instant did not reach me until a 
considerable time after date, through my being still absent) 
from Madeley; a clergyman of this neighbourhood having: 
made an exchange with me, to facilitate my settling some 
affairs of a temporal nature in this county. The kind 
part you take in my happiness demands my warmest 
thanks; and I beg you will accept them, multiplied by 
those, which my dear partner presents to you. Yes, my 
dear friend, I am married in my old age, and have a new 
opportunity of considering a great mystery, in the most 
perfect type of our Lord’s mystical union with his church. 
T have now anew call to pray for a fulness of Christ’s holy, 
gentle, meek, loving Spirit, that I may love my wife, as 
he loved his Spouse, the Church. But the emblem is 
greatly deficient : the Lamb is worthy of his spouse, an 
more than worthy, whereas I must acknowledge mysel ; 
unworthy of the yoke-fellow, whom Heaven has resery 
for me. She is a person after my own heart; and 
make no doubt we shall increase the number of the happy 
marriages in the church Militant. Indeed they are n 
so many, but it may be worth a Christian’s while to add 
one more to the number. God declared it was not good, 
that man, a social being, should live alone, and therefo 
he gave him a help meet for him: for the same heal 
our Lord sent forth his disciples two and two. Had I ie 
searched the three kingdoms, I could not have found one 


* 


Y 4 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 248 


brother willing to share gratis my weal, woe, and labours, 
and complaisant enough to unite his fortunes to mine; but 
God has found me a partner, a sister, a wife, to use St. 
Paul’s language, who is not afraid to face with me the 
colliers and bargemen of my parish, until death part us. 

Buried together in our country village, we shall help 
one another to trim our lamps, and wait, as I trust you 
do continually, for the coming of the heavenly bride- 
groom. Well; for us the heavenly child is born, to us a 
double son is given, and with him the double kingdom of 
grace and glory. O my dear friend, let us press into, and 
meet in, both of these kingdoms. Our Surety and Saviour 
is the way and the door into them: and blessed be free 
grace, the way is free as the king’s highway, and the door" 
open like the arms of Jesus crucified. 

January 1st, 1782. I live, blessed be God, to devote 
myself again to his blessed service in this world, or in the - 
next, and to wish my dear friends all the blessings of a 
year of jubilee. Whatever this year brings forth, may it 
bring us the fullest measures of salvation attainable on 
earth, and the most complete preparation for heaven. I 
have a solemn call to gird my loins and keep my lamp 
burning. Strangely restored to health and strength, con- 
sidering my years, by the good nursing of my dear part- 
ner, I ventured to preach of late as often as I did formerly ; 
and after having read prayers and preached ‘twice on 
Christmas day, &c. I did, last Sunday, what I had never 
done—I continued doing duty from ten till past four 
in the afternoon, owing to christenings, churchings and 
the sacrament, which I administered to a church full of 
people; so that I was obliged to go from the communion 
table to begin the evening service, and then to visit some 
sick. This has brought back upon me one of my old 
dangerous symptoms, so that I had flattered myself in 
vain, to do the whole duty of my own parish. My dear 
wife is nursing me with the tenderest care, gives me up to . 


% 


- 


244 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 
God with the greatest resignation, and helps me to rejoice, 
that life and death, health and sickness, work all for our 
good, and are all ours, as blessed instruments to forward 
us in our journey to heaven. We i ‘ set out for 
Madeley to-morrow. The.prospect of a winter’s journey 
is not sweet; but the prospect of meeting you and your 
dear sister, and lady Mary, and Mrs. L and Mrs. 
G——, and all our other companions in tribulation in 
heaven, is delightful. The Lord prepare and fit us for 
that Glorious meeting! As soon as I reach Madeley, I 
shall write to lady Mary. Give my best respects to her, 
to our dear sister, and to the ladies I have just nae 
and believe me to be, my dear friend and fellow-traveller_ 
to Zion, Your most obliged and affectionate servant, 
J. F. 

P. S. If lady Huntingdon is in London, I would beg 

you present my duty to her, with my best wishes. 


— 
LETTER CIX. 
Madeley, Jan. 1782. 

{HE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. 
I THANK you, my lady, for your kind congratula~ 
tions on my marriage. The Lord has indeed blessed me 
with a partner after my own heart—dead to the worl 
and wanting as well as myself, to be filled with all the li 
of God. She joins me in dutiful thanks to your ladyshi 
for your obliging remembrance of her in your kind | 


and will help me to welcome you to the little me 


we spoke of last year in London, if your ladyship’s 
or taste should call you to retire, for a while, frome 
hurry of the town. 

What a difference between the court of the King of 
Kings, and that of King George! How peaceable the 
former, how full of hurry the latter! The Prince him- 
self welcomes us, and manifests himself to us, as Prince of 


. a 
’ ‘ 


P 4 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 245 


peace, as Emmanuel, God with us. He will even bring 
his kingdom, and keep his court in our hearts. If we 
en them, by the attention and recollection of faith, he 
will even sup with us, and make us taste the sweetness of 
that bread, which came down from heaven, and the virtue 
of that blood, which cleanses from all sin. That this may 
be our constant experience, and that of our dear com- 
panions in tribulation in St. James’s place, is the sincere 
and frequent wish of, my lady, your most obliged and 

obedient servant, J. F. 
dt . 
LETTER CX. 

Madeley, August 28th, 1782. 

THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. 
My honoured Friend, 

Grace, mercy, and humble love, be multiplied to you 
from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 
through the Eternal Spirit; in whose name we were bap- 
tized into the body of the Church, the Spouse of the Son 
of God. The Lord has peculiar favours in store for your 
ladyship, and for me: the proof is, that we are afflicted. 
Have you been in a weak state of health? I have had the 
honour to drink of your cup: the influenza has laid 
me down, but the Lord has raised me up again; and 
when I was partly well, I broke my shin accidentally 
‘should I not say providentially) against a bench, and 
the consequence was, my being confined by a bad leg to 
my bed, whence I write these lines. O may they be lines 
of consolation to my dear friend! May the God of all 
Grace, who comforts unworthy me, rejoice your oppressed 
heart, and make it overflow with his patient love, and 
sanctifying truth. 

You still complain of vile self: I wish you joy, for your 
knowing yourenemy. Let vile self be reduced to order 
and though he be a bad master, he will become an ex- 

x2 


246 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


cellent servant. If you say, how shall I do this? I reply, 
by letting the Lord, the Maker, the Preseryer, the Re- 
deemer, the Lover of your soul, ascend upon the throne 
‘of your thoughts, will, and affections. , Who deserves to 
engross and fill them better than he does? Is he not your 
~ first Lord, your best Husband, your most faithful Friend, 
and your greatest Benefactor? If you say, “I do not see 
him;” I reply, that you never saw the soul of any of 
your friends ;—nor do you see even the body of him yc 
call your idol. O! allow Jehovah, the Supreme Bei 
to be to you, what he deserves to be, all in all. 
lively act of faith, one assent and consent to this delig 
ful truth, that your Father, who is in heaven, loves you @ 
thousand tiimes more than you love your idol, (for God’s 
love is like himself, infinite and boundless) will set your 
heart at liberty, and even make it dance for joy. What, 
if, to this ravishing consideration, you add the transport- 
ing truth, that the Son of God, fairer than the sons of 
men, and higher than angels, has loved you unto death— 
to the death of the cross, and loves you still more than all 
your friends do, were their love collected into one heart; 
could you help thinking, with a degree of joyous grati- 
tude ; of such an instance of divine condescension ? No: 
your vile self would be enobled, raised, expanded, and 
set at liberty, by this evangelical thought, and if you did 
not destroy this divine conception, if you ‘nourished this 
little degree of the love of Christ, Emmanuel, the God of 
Jove, would be more fully manifested in you, and salva 
tion would from this moment grow in your soul. Jesus 
would grow in your believing, loving heart; self would | 
no body, Emmanuel would be all in all; and lady Mary 
would share all the happiness, and e’er long, all the glory 
of that favoured Virgin, whom all the nations shall call] 
blessed. You bear her name ; let her Son, by the incor- 
ruptible seed of the word, be also formed in you through 
faith; and you will be so taken up by this wonder of 
‘ * 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 247 


divine love, so employed in praising your father’s mercy, 
and Saviour’s love and tenderness, that you will have but 
little time to speak either of good or bad self. When 
self is forgotten as nothing before God, you put self in its 
proper place; and you make room for the heavenly 
Being, whose holy and happy existence you are to shadow 
out. 

If you have left off attending on the princess, atte 
on the Prince of peace with double diligence. If you 
have been wanting in that sweet and honourable duty, it 
is because the enemy has told you lies of your Saviour, 
and has cast a veil over the love of his heart, and the 
beauty of his face. See the snare, and avoid it. 

Shall we ever have the honour of seeing you, my lady? 
My wife, who joins in respectful love and thanks to 
your ladyship, for your remembrance of her, says, she 
will do her best to render our cold house safe for you, if 
not convenient. You would have had a repeated invita- 
tion from us, if fear, and a concern for your health, 
heightened by the bad weather, had not checked our de- 
sires to have an opportunity of assuring you here, how 
much we are devoted to your service. But the roads 
and the weather beginning to mend, we venture to offer 
you the best apartment in our hermitage. I wish it were 
large enough to take in dear Mrs. G , and our dear 
friends at St. James’s Place ; but we have only two small 
rooms; to which, however, you would be received with 
two enlarged hearts; I mean those of, my honoured lady, 
your ladyship’s obedient, devoted servants, J. & M. F. 


LETTER CXI. 
Madeley, Dec. t9th, 1782. 
THE REY. MR. CHARLES WESLEY. 
Rev and Dear Sir, 
I THANK you for your hint about exemplifying om love 
‘of Christ in his Church. I hope we do, I was afraid, 


., 


— lt FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


at first, to say much of the matter: for new married peo- 
ple do not at first know each other: but having ‘now lived 
fourteen months in my new state, I can tell you, Providence 
has reserved a prize for me, and that my wife is far better 
to me, than the Church to Christ; so that if the parallel 
fails, it will be on my side. 
- Be so good as to peruse the enclosed sheets. Mr De 
c, to whom they are addressed, is reader to the queen, 
d the author of some volumes of letters to her: he is a 
true philosopher. I flatter myself, he will present my let- 
. ter tothe queen. Do you find any thing improper in the 
addition I have made to my Poem? I wish I were near 
you for your criticisms : you would direct me, both as a 
Poet and a Frenchman. ae 
I have yet strength enough to do my parish duty with- 
out the help of a Curate. O that the Lord would help 
me to do it acceptably and profitably! The colliers 
begun to rise in this neighbourhood: happily the cocka- 
trice’s egg was crushed, before the serpent came out.—_ 
However, I got many a hearty curse from the eolliers, for” 
the plain words I spoke on that occasion. I want to see” 
days of power both within and without; but in the m 
time I would follow closely my light in the narrow © 
My wife joins me in respectful love to Mrs. Wesley ool 
yourself, and requesting an interest in your prayers f 
us, I remain, my dear sir, your affectionate, obliged brother, 
servant and son, in the gospel, “ J. 8 
aa ~*~ 
LETTER CXIL. ie 
Madeley, March 3d, 1788, 8 
MRS. THORNTON. -\ 
My Dear Friend, " 
YesTerpay I received your melancholy, joyful letter, 
as I came from the sacrament, where the grace of God 
had armed me to meet the awful news. And is my mer-— 
ciful host gone to sro the fruit’ of * mercy to me? ” 


CP ee ee * fas: u 


+ i . | 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. — 249, 


thought I should have been permitted to go first and wel- 
come him into everlasting habitations; but Providence 
has ordered it otherwise, and I am left behind to say, 
with you and dear Mrs. Greenwood, “ The Lord gave, 
and has taken away, and blessed be his holy name !” 

The glory with which his setting sun was gilded, is the 
greatest comfort by which Heaven could alleviate his loss. 
Let me die as he did, and let my last end be like his! I 
was so sensibly affected by your account, that I could 
not help reading part of your letter at church in the after- 
noon, and desiring all the congregation to join me in thanks- 
giving for the late mercies he had vouchsafed to my gene- 
rous benefactor. On such occasions, let sighs be lost in 
praise ; and repining in humble submission and thankful - 
acquiescence. I hope-dear Mrs. Greenwood mixes a tear 
of joy with a tear of sorrow. Who would not be landed 
on the other side the stream of time, if we were sure of 
such a passage ? Who would wish his best friend back on 
the shores of sorrow so triumphantly left by Mr. Green- 
wood? 

I hope Mr. Thomas Greenwood, and his brother Josiah, 
have been rooted and grounded in their good purposes by 
their dying father’s exhortations and charges. Pray give 
my kindest love to them both, and tell them I join my 
entreaties to his, that they would take to, and keep in, the 
way, that brought their — eet present peace and joy at 
the last. 

So Mr. and Mrs. Pentel are no more; and Lazarus 
is still alive! What scenes does this world afford? But 
the most amazing is certainly that of Emmanuel crucified, 
ies ofr us pardons and crowns of glory. May we 

ver gaze at that wonderful object until it has formed us 
into love, peace and joy! We thank you for the sweet 
name you still call us by, and we heartily take the hint 
and subscribe ourselves, your affectionate, grateful friends, 
and ready servants in Christ, J.&M.F. . 


“a ~ 


250 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


** 


LETTER CXIIl. - 
Dublin, Aug. 23, 1783. 
iad THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD, 
Honoured and Dear Madam, ; 4 


I sex the truth of those words of our Lord, “ ime 
ye shall have peace, comfort, strength and joy ; be of 

good cheer.” We came here to see the members of our 
Lord, and we find you removed, and removing far 
still than you now are. What does this Providence teael 
us? I learn, that I must rejoice in the Lord above all his 
members, and find them all in him, who fills all in 
who is the life of all our friends, the joy of all our t 
ren. If our Lord is your life, your strength, and your 
you will remove in vain to the north or south; you can- 
not go from your spiritual friends; they will meet you in 
the common centre of all life and righteousness ; there 
they will bless you, rejoice in your joy, and sympathize 
in your sorrow. ¥ 

If Providence calls you to England by Scotland, by 
which route your ladyship apprehends so much diffic 
you know we must, at least, go to heaven by a- 
equally painful—the narrow way, the way marked 
blood, and with the tears and eross of the Son of 
and if we follow him weeping, we shall return 
everlasting joy on our heads. . Even now the for 
those joys is given to us through hope, for by hope we 
are saved. Let our faith and hope be in God; rooted 
and grounded in him, who gives vital heat to our 
and who fans there the spark of grace, which his 
has kindled; and may that spark by the inspiration 
the Holy Ghost, become a fire of holy love, heav 
zeal, and heavenly glory. Such power belongeth to the 
Almighty. He that spared not his own son, and has 
promised us his Holy Spirit, which is the mighty stream 


_ i “ 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 251 


f his grace, and the mighty flame of his love, will not 
eny us that power, if we wait for it in his appointed 
rays ; and ask it in the all prevailing name of Emmanuel, 
rod with us. 

My dear partner, who, like myself, is deeply sensible 
f your ladyship’s kindness in remembring us, joins me. 
) thanks for your obliging note, and in cordial wishes, 
vat all the desires of your believing soul may be granted 
ou, both for time, death and eternity. We subscribe 
urselves, with grateful sincerity, honoured madam, ‘your 
evyoted servants in our bleeding Lord, J. & M. F. 


LETTER CxXIV. 
Madeley, November, 1783. 
TO WILLIAM SMYTH, ESQ. 

Dear Sir, 

Tue many and great favours, you have loaded us with, 
uring our long stay under your hospitable roof, prompt- 
d us to make the earliest acknowledgement of our obli- 
ations, and to beg you would receive our warmest thanks 
or such unexpected and undeserved tokens of brotherly 
ove. But the desire of filling our only frank has hinder- 
d their being more early traced upon paper; though 
hey have been, are now, and, we trust, shall ever be, 
leeply engraven on our hearts. You have united for us 
he Irish hospitality, the English cordiality, and the 
Srench politeness. And now, sir, what shall we say? 
You are our generous benefactor, and we are your affec- 
jonate, though unprofitable servants. In one sense, we 
wre on a level with those, to whom you shew charity in 
he streets: we can do nothing but pray for you, your dear 
gartner, and yours. You kindly received us for Christ’s 
sake; may God receive you freely for his sake also! You 
ave borne with our infirmities:—the Lerd bear with 
your’s also! You have let your servant serve us ;—the 


252 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


Lord give all his Servants and oe concert 
ing you, that you hurt not your foot a stone, and 
may be helped out of every difficulty! You have given us 
a most pleasing resting place, and comfortable apa 
under your roof, and next your own chamber: 
grant you eternal rest with him in his heavenly Si0 
May he himself be your habitation and resting aa 0 
ever; and place you and yours with his own jewels i 
the choicest repository of precious things! You have fe 
us with the richest food :—may the giver of every perfe 
gift fit you for a place at his table,and may you rank the 
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! You have given us wines: 
—may you drink, with Christ himself, the fruit of the “a 
new in your Father’s kingdom! You have given us a rid 
provision for the way :—when you cross the flood, the 
deep flood of death, may you find, that. your heavenly 
Lord has made such a rich provision of faith, righteous- 
ness, hope, and joy for you, that you may rejoice, triumph 
and sing, while you leave your earthly friends to go home! 
which, by the by, is more than we are enabled to do; for 
instead of singing in our cabins, there was very different 
melody. : 
However, we could soon, with grateful, joyful hearts, 
look back from the British to the Irish shore, and greet 
spirit the dear friends we had left there. "The Lord ble 
and increase them in spiritual, and, if best for them, in 
temporal goods also! The Lord crown them and theil | 
with loving kindness, and mercies equal to the love of o 
God, and the merits of our Saviour! And now, dear si 
what shall Tadd? I cannot now even see my bible bi 
through the medium of your love, and the token wi 
which it alternately loads my pocket and my hand. 
cannot even seal a letter with a good wafer, but I find @ 
new call to repeat my thanks to you. I would beg 
again, but my scrap of paper is full as ¥ las my heart; 
and I must spare a line to tell you that the pleasure 


— - . 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 253 


of seeing our kind’ benefactress, Mrs. Smyth, safe at 
Bristol, with her little charge and lady Mary. We beg 
our thanks to John, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and all, who 
were kind to us for Christ’s sake, and for your’s. We 
femain, dear sir, your mostlaffectionate and most obliged 
pensioners and servants, J.& M.F. 


LETTER CXvV. 
Madeley, November ——, 1783. 
TO THE SOCIETY IN DUBLIN. 

Fo all the dear brethren, who, after kindly inviting 
John and Mary Fletcher, patiently bearing with them and 
their infirmities, and entertaining them in the most hospi- 
table, Christian manner, have added to all their former - 
favours, that of thanking them for their most pleasant and 
profitable journey. 

Brethren, and dearly beloved in the Lord. We had 
felt shame enough under the sense of your kindness and 
patience towards us, and of our unprofitableness towards 
yor, when at Dublin. You needed not have added to our 
hame by the new token of your love, the friendly letter 
e have received from you. We are indebted to you, 
ear brethren, we owed you the letter of thanks you have 
atuitously sent. But in all things you will have the pre- 
eminence, and we are glad to drink the cup of humility at 
four feet. May the Lord, who can part a sea by the 
ch of a rod, and could at first cause the earth to bring 
rth abundantly all manner of trees and plants without 
eed, so bless the seed of the word, which we sowed in 
eat weakness among you, as to make it produce a full 
top .of humble repentance, cheerful faith, triumphant 
ope, and the sanctifying influences of God’s Spirit in your 

s, in all your families, in all your assemblies, and in 
‘our whole society! If your profuse liberality towards 
, abounded to the comfort of our poor brethren, we 


dubly rejoice on your acccount, and on their’s. 
; oe . 


* 


? 


254 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


When we see so many of your dear names, we rejoice 
in hopes, that as they fill and confirm an epistle, dictated 
by overflowing love, so they are enrolled on the list of the 
dear people, whom our great High Priest bears, not on 
the breast-plate as Aaron, butyon his bleeding hands, and 
in his very heart, which is the overflowing and everflowing 
fountain of divine and brotherly love. We cannot remem- 
ber your faces; we remember what will last longer than 
your features, your work and labour, your repasts of love, 
together with your prayers and sighs. May that seed 
sown be watered by the Redeemer’s blood! We ask it 
with tears of gratitude and joy, while we, on our bended 
knees, spread your names, as you have kindly put them 
and your wants, as far as we remember them, before the 
Father of mercies, and the author of every perfect gift. 
Let our worthless names still find a place in your memory, 
when you remember your brethren distant in the flesh, but 
near in the Spirit: among such vouchsafe to reckon, dear 
brethren, your very affectionate and truly obliged servants 
in Christ, J.& M.F. 

LETTER CXVI. é 


Madeley, November » 1783. © 


TO MRS. DOLIER. 

Anp were my dear brother and sister Dolier pleased 
the receipt of a letter from such an unworthy worm? O 
that I could convey some word from the mouth of m 
adorable Lord, to your hearts! O that he would 
me, his poor creature, to drop a sentence, which mi 
prove an encouragement to my dear friends in their 
You ask, “Shall I hope to attain the clean heart, and 
walk in purity while here below?” Why not? Abraham 
hoped against hope, and there sprang from him, as goot 
as dead, as the stars of heaven for multitude. ne 
lief say—“ Thou art dead; thou hast Raby. 7 
and it is all over?” then arise out of the dust, rouse up a! 


£ 


a ve  — > 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 255 


your powers; against hope, believe in hope, and by faith 
receive strength to apprehend the fulness of God. Remem- 
ber Christ is in your faith; hold faith, and you hold 
Christ. If you know not how to get hold on faith, remem- 
ber it is in the promise: seek for a promise, and lay hold 
there. But if you cry out, “I see the links of the chain 
so far off, that, alas! I cannot take hold on the promise ; 
I don’t know which is for me; I cannot reach so far3;” 
well, don’t faint yet; there is another link still lower, that 
is to say, your wants. Can you be sure there is a wound 
within; are you certain you are a sinner? Well, then, 
reach your hand hither, “I came not to call the righteous 
but sinners.” Are you a helpless sinner? “To them 
who have no might he increaseth strength.” Are you an. 
ungrateful, backsliding sinner? Hear him say, “ Thou 
has played the harlot with many lovers; but return unto 
me, saith the Lord.” And if you doubt whether you may 
believe for a great measure of holiness ; whether your soul, 
already in old age and barren, shall believe for abundant 
fruitfulness, answer yourself, my dear friend, from that 
word, “ Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the 
water of life freely.” I have just told Mrs. Smyth of one 
of your sisters here, once a deeper unbeliever than your- 
self, but now quite full of God: I refer you to her letter. 
O my God, in mercy let thy power rest on thy dear ser- 
vants! Convey; even by this poor scrawl, some power to 
their hearts: some fresh light into the mighty chain, which 
begins with man’s wickedness, hangs on God’s mercy in 
the promises, is continued by faith and victory springing 
therefrom, and ends with Christ’s fulness becoming all in 
all. We pray the Godof love to be with your children, 
and all who meet with them. Tell sister Hammond to keep 
hold of the chain: it shall draw her into the holy of 
holies. With our kindest, and most grateful remembrance 
of you both, we remain, your sincere, but unworthy 
friends, J.&M.F. . 


256 FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


‘LETTER CXVII. 
Madeley, April 27th, 1784. 
MR. HENRY BROOKE. 

‘My Dear Brother, be ce. 
Mercy, peace, and perfect love attend you, your de 
partner, and the dear friends under your roof, with whor 

IT beg you may abide under the eross, till with 

Mary, and Salome, &c. you all can say, “ we are ie | 
fied with him, and the life we now live, we livedbyi 
faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave 

for us.” 

You are certainly right, when you sales the awl 
the outward : the former is the safer; but both t 
make up the beauty of holiness. The inward life m 
compared to the husband, the outward to the fruitfal y 
what God hath joined together, let no man, nor ev 


put asunder. * 
With respect to the glory of the Lord, it is at 


whatever false wisdom and unbelief may whisper to our 
hearts, it can be no farther off, than the presence of Him 
who fills all in all. Our wrong notions of things area 
main hindrance to our stepping into it: and perhaps our 
minding more the cherubim of glory, than the plain tables, 
and the manna hid in the ark. “ There is a passing,” 

says Bromley, “ from the outward to the inward, and 
from the inward to the inmost; and it is only from ‘<a 
most, that we can see the Lord’s spiritual glory.” F 

my dear brother, when you get so fixed in’the inmost, as 
not to lose sight of him, who dwells in the light, and inthe 
thick darkness, let me share your joy. Love will nal 
me partake of your happiness. * 

With respect to what you say of the kingdom not tel 
ing with the outward pomp, which is discoverable by the 
men of the world, it is'strictly true; but, that there is an 
inward display of power and glory under Pentecostal 


ee 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 257 


christianity is undeniable, both from our Lord’s promises 
to his disciples, and from their experiences, after the king- 
dom was come to them with power. It is, sometimes, 
suggested to me, that, as the apostacy hath chietly con- 
sisted in going after the pomp of the whore of Babylon, so 
that while the woman, who fled into the wilderness, re- 
mains there as a widow, she must be deprived even of 
those true ornaments of that spiritual glory, which was 
bestowed upon her on the day of Pentecost, the day of 
her espousals. I do not, however, close in with the 
suggestion, as I am not sure, that it cannot come from 
Satan transformed into an angel of light, to rob me of a 
bright jewel of my christian hope. To wait in deep resig- 
nation, and with a constant attention to what the Lord _ 
will please to do or say, concerning us and his church ; 
and to leave to him the times and the seasons, is what I 
am chiefly called to do, taking care in the mean while of 
falling into either ditch: I mean into speculation, which is 
careless of action, or into the activity which is devoid of 
spirituality. I would not have a lamp without oil, and I 
could not have oil without a lamp, and a vessel to hold it 
in for myself, and to communicate it to others. 

I thank you, my dear friend, for the books you have 
sent me: and I read, with great pleasure, Ramsay’s 
Theological Works, which were quite unknown to me. 
My good wishes attend both your brothers. Fare you al? 
well in Christ: so prays, tee we 


. LETTER CXVIII. 
Madeley, June 20th, 1784. 
MRS. GREENWOOD. 
My Dear Friend, 

Iswauu never forget the mercy, which the living and 
the dead have shewed me; but the sight of Mr. Green- 
wood in his son, has brought some of my Newington 

¥2 


bt F 


scenes fresh to my remembrance, and I beg leave to con- 
- vey my tribute of thanks back by his hands. Thanks! 
‘Thanks! What, nothing but words? Here is my humbling 
case; I wish to requite your manifold kindness, but Iean- 
not; and so I must be satisfied to be ever your insolvent 
debtor. Nature and grace do not love it. Proud natu 
lies uneasy under great obligations, and thankful - 
would be glad to put something ‘in the scale, opposite 
that which you have filled with so many favours: But 
what shall I put? I wish I could send you all the Bank 
of England, and all the gospel of Christ; but the first i 
not mine, and the second is already yours: so, praying 
the Lord Jesus to make up my deficiencies with yot 
he has done with his Father; I remain your still un 
fitable, and still obliged Lazarus, , 


258 .FAMILIAR LETTERS. 


a 
—— 


LETTER CXIX. 7 
Madeley, September 13th, 1784. | 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ, 
My Dear Friend, 

Surexy the Lord keeps us both in slippery places, 
we may still set loose to all below. Let us do so more 
and more, and make the best of those days which the 
Lord grants us to finish the work he has given us to do. 
© let us fall in with the gracious designs of his Providence 
trim our lamps, gird our loins, and prepare to escape 
the heavenly shore, as Paul did when he saw the leaky 
ship ready to go to the bottom, and made himself ready to — 
swim to land. ‘ » 
I keep in my centry box till Providenee removes me 

my situation is quite suited to my little strength; I may 
do as much or as little as I please, according to my weak- 

ness; and I have an advantage, which I can have no 

where else in such a degree ; my little field of ac ‘ion is 
just at my own door, so that if Thappen to overd o mysel 


* 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 259 


Thave but a step from my pulpit to my bed, and from 
my bed to my grave. I wish brother Tandy joy about 
opposition: This must be, and the more of it, the more 
will the word of God prevail. If I had a body full of 
vigour and a purse full of money, I should like well 
enough to travel about as Mr. Wesley does : but as Provi- 
dence does not call me to it, I readily submit. _ The snail 
does best in its shell: were it to aim at galloping like the 
race horse, it would be ridiculous indeed. I thank God, 
‘my wife, who joins me in thanks to you for your kind 
offer, is quite of my mind with respect to the call we have 
to a sedentary life. We are two poor invalids, who, 
between us, make half a labourer. 7% 

» We shall have tea cheap, and light very dear. I don’t - 
admire the change. Twenty thousand chambers walled 
“ip, and filled with foul air, are converted into so many 
dungeons for the industrious artisan, who being compelled 
by this murderous tax, denies himself the benefit of light 
and air. Blessed be God, the light of heaven and the air 
of the spiritual world is still free: may we open doors and 
windows to let it into our souls, which shall be purified 
and enlightened by these heavenly guests. 

My dear partner sweetly helps me to drink the Boies 
of life, and to carry with ease the daily cross. . Neither 
she nor I are long for this world; we see it, we feel it, 
and, by looking at death and his conqueror, we fight be- 
forehand our last battle with that last enemy, whom our 
dear Lord hath overcome for us. ‘That we may triumph 
over him with an humble, christian courage, is the prayer 


of, my dear friends, yours, J. Bs 
" 

bir : ‘¥ c 

Wh, ts \inoabs 

ay yy RTE 


ew aro? hy 


- 


4 i ce ae 


260 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 


LETTER CXX. 
Madeley, Jan. 21st, 1785. 


MRS. THORNTON. — 
My Dear Friend, P = 

I cannot express how much I was concerned at hear- 
ing of Mr. Greenwood’s illness: my poor prayers have 
heartily attended him. I want much to hear of his better 
state of health. Give mine and my wife’s kindest love to 
‘him ; and should change of air, now the spring is coming 
on, be likely to be of service to him, we desire both him 
and you, and Mrs. Greenwood, to remember, that you have 
at Madeley a country retreat, free from the noise of London, 
and the hurry of business, where we should be glad to 
have an opportunity of requiting the kindness shewed b 
me both by the living and the dead. ; 

O that the Lord would make both his cup and vol 
run over! Between the living and the dead (being dyi 
worms ourselves) what manner of people ought we to be 
in our generations? If we cannot be what we would, 
burning and shining lights, shewing forth the glory, 
mercy, the love of our Lord, as those, who flame with 
indefatigable zeal, and run a race of immense labours, let 
us at least lie meekly at Christ’s feet, as Mary, or pas 
tiently hang on the cross, as our common Lord. 4 

I want much to know, how you all do in soul and 
body: as for me, I make just shift to. fill up my little 
centry box, by the help of my dear partner. Had we 
more strength we should have opportunity enough to exert 
it. © that we were but truly faithful in our little place 
Your great stage of London is too high for people o 
little ability and little strength, and, therefore, we are afraid | 
of venturing upon it, lest the consequence should be 
bringing new burdens on our generous friends, 
should be glad to rise high in usefulness; but God, who 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 26% 


needs us not, calls us to sink in deep resignation and 
humility. His will be done! That God would bless you 
with all his choicest blessings, for time and eternity, is the 
Sincere prayer of, my dear friend, your obliged servants, 

J. & M. F. 

LETTER CXXI. 
Madeley, Feb. 11th, 1785. 
TO THE RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD. _ 

Mercy, righteousness, peace and joy be multiplied te 
dear lady Mary, and to all, who are dear and near unto 
her, from the Father of Mercies, through the Son of his 
boundless love, and through the spirit of infinite.love, — 
which the Father breathes continually towards the Son, 
and the Son towards the Father! So prays John Fletcher. 
And who are we, my lady, that we should not be swallow- 
ed up by this holy, loving living Spirit, which fills heaven 
and earth? If we could exclude him from our hearts, we 
might vilely set up self, in opposition to him who is all in 
all. But whether we consider it or not, there he is, a true, 
holy, loving merciful God. _ Assent to it, my lady; be- 
lieve it, rejoice in it. Let him be God, all in all; your 
God in Christ Jesus; your brother, who is flesh of your 
flesh, bone of your bone; your surety, who payeth all 
your debt, in whom the Father was reconciling you and 
us unto himself, and in whom we are accepted. What 
an ocean of love to swim in—to dive into! Don’t be 
afraid to venture, and to plnge with all yours; especially, 
our dear friends in St. James’s Place, Mrs, G— and Mrs. 

L—, &. Jam, &. Pads 


ay. 


de 


262 . FAMILIAR LETTERS. 
ee 
LETTER CXXIL ir " 
Madeley, February 28th, 1785. 
MR. HENRY BROOKE. *,* 


My Dear Brother, 
We are all shadows. Your mortal parent hath passed 
away; and we pass away after him. Blessed be the Au- 
_ thor of every good and perfect gift for the shadow of his 
eternal paternity displayed to us in our deceased parents. 
What was good, loving and lovely, in them, is hid with 
Christ in God ; where we may still enjoy it implicitly, and 
where we shall explicitly enjoy it, when he shall appear. 
A lesson I learn daily, is, to see things and persons in 
their invisible root, and in their eternal principle ; where 
they are not subject to change, decay, and death; 
where they blossom and shine in their primeval exc 
allotted them by their gracious Creators By this m 
I learn to walk by faith, and not by sight; but, like 
child, instead of walking strict and firm in this good spi-_ 
ritual way, I am still apt to cling here or there; which 
makes me cry, “ Lord, let me see all things more clearly, 
that I may never mistake a shadow for the substance, 
put any creature, no not for a moment, in the place of 
Creator ; who deserves to be loved, admired, and sow 
after, with all the powers of our souls.” 
Tracing his image in all the footsteps of nature, or loo 
ing for the divine signature on every creature, as we sho 
look for the king’s image on an old rusty medal, is true 
philosophy ; and to find out that, which is of God in oun 
selves, is the true wisdom, genuine godliness. I hepe yol 
you will never be afraid, nor ashamed of it. Isee no 
danger in these studies and meditations, provided we still 
keep the end in view—the all of God, and the shadow 
nothingness of all that is visible. 
With respect to the great Penteouaail display of the» 
Spirit’s glory, I still look for it within and without; and 


¥ 


_: ¥ ‘ w % 
FAMILIAR LETTERS. 263 * 


to look for it aright is the lesson lam learning. Iam now 
led to be afraid of that in my nature, which would be for 
pomp, shew, and visible glory. I am afraid of falling by 
such an expectation into what I call a spiritual judaizing ; 
into a looking for Christ’s coming in my own pompous con- 
eit, which might make me reject him, if his wisdom, to cru- 
cify mine, chose to come in a meaner way : and if instead 
of coming in his father’s glory, he chose to come meek, rid- 
ing, not on the cherubim, but on the foal of an ass. Our 
Saviour said, with respect to his going to the feasi, “ my 
time is not yet come:” whether his time to come and turn 
the thieves and buyers out of the outward church is yet ° 
come, I know not. I doubt Jerusalem, and the holy place, 
are yet given to be trodden under foot by the Gentiles— 
But my Jerusalem! why it is not swallowed up of the glory 
of that which comes down from heaven, is a question, 
which I wait to be solved by the teaching of the great 
prophet, who is alone possessed of Urim and Thummim. 
The mighty power to wrestle with him is all divine: and 
I often pray, 
“ That mighty faith on me bestow, 
Which cannot ask in vain, 
Which holds, and will not let thee go, 
Till I my suit obtain : 
Till thou into my soul inspire, 
That perfect love unknown ; 
And tell my infinite desire, 
Whate'er thou wilt be done.” 


Tn short, the Lord crucifies my wisdom and my will every 
way; but I must be crucified as the thieves. All my 
bones must be broken ; for there is still in me that impa- 
tience of wisdom, which would stir, when the tempter” 
‘says, “ Come down from the cross.” It is not for us to 
know the times and seasons, the manner and mystical 
means of God’s working; but only to hunger and thirst, 
and lie passive before the great potter. In short I begin 
to be content to be a vessel of clay or of wood, so I may 


by 


Meg ae, ht 7 ee 
264 * FAMILIAR LETTERS. 4 
be emptied of self, and filled with my God, 2, Do 
give up your confident hope: it saves still ‘ 
hath a present, and, by and by, will have a great recom- 
pence of reward. an 

I am glad, exceeding glad, that your deer partner goes 
on simply and believingly. Such a companion is a great 
blessing, if you know how to make use of it. For when 
two of you shall agree touching one thing in prayer, if shall 
be done. My wife and I endeavour to fathom the mear= 
ing of that deep promise; join your line to ours, and let 
- us search what, after all, exceeds knowledge, I mean, the 
wisdom and the power, the love and the faithfulness of 
God. 

My wife and I embrace you both; and pray you would 
help one another, and us, by your prayers. Adieu. Be 
God’s, as the French say; and see God your’s in Christ, 
for you, and for all your dear brethren. We are your 


obliged friends, J. & M. PF. 
— ; 4 
LETTER CXXIII. i 


Madeley, May 10th, 1785.. 
MR. MELVILLE HORNE. 
Dear Brother, 

I am sorry you should have been uneasy about re 
books: I received them safely, after they had lain for 
some time at Salop. J seldom look into any book but my 
bible ; not out of contempt, as if T thought they could not 
teach me what I do not know; bat because “ Vita brevis; 
Ars longa:’’ I may never look into either of them again, 

Go on improving yourself by reading, but above. 
meditation and prayer: and-allow our Lord to refin 
in the fire of temptation. Where you see pa 
or abroad, within or without, look upon that want Asia 
warning, to avoid the cause of the leanness you perceive, 
and a ie to, secure the hiosinn which are ready to take 


eS eee ~~ 
a i b 
‘7 ’ . 


FAMILIAR LETTERS. 265 
9 


world, make themselves wings and flee away: the hea- 
yenly dove may be grieved, and take its flight to humbler, 
and more peaceful roofs. I am glad you do not want 
hard or violent measures: I hope you will never counte- 
nance them, no not against what you dislike. I believe’ 
things will turn out very weil at the conference, and I shall, 
be a witness of it, if the Lord of the harvest gives me a 
commission to be a’spectator of the order and quietness of 
those who shall be there: if not, I shall help you by 
prayer to draw from afar the blessing of love upon our 
friends. a 
In being moderate, humble, and truly desirous to be a 
christian, that is, to be the least, the last, and the servant 


of all, we avoid running ourselves into difficulties, we es>_ 


cape many temptations, and many mortifying disappoint- 
ments. For my part, as I expect nothing from men, 
they cannot disappoint me; and as I expect all good 
things from God ; \in the time, way, measure, and manner, 
it pleaseth him to bestow, here I cannot be disappointed, 
because he does, and will do all things well. 

I trust you labour for God and souls, not for praise 
and self. When the latter are our aim, God, in mercy, 
blesses us with barrenness, that we may give up Barabas, 
and release the humble Jesus, whom we may crucify 
afresh by setting the thief on the throne, and the Lord 
of glory at our footstool: for so do those who preach 
Christ out of contention, or that they may have the praise 
of men. That God may bless you and your labours, is 
the prayer of your old brotha. J. ¥. 

LETTER CXXIV. 
Madeley, July 19th, 1785. 
JAMES IRELAND, ESQ. 
My Dear Friend, i 

BuessEp be God we are still alive, and in the midst of 

many infirmities, we enjoy a degree of health, spiritual 
Z 


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266. 4 PAMILIAR LETTERS. 


and bodily. O how good was the Lord, to come as 
of Man to live here for us, and to come in his Spirit to e 
live in us for ever! This is a mystery of godliness: the 
Lord make us full witnesses of it. an 
_” A week ago I was tried to the quick by a fever with 
which my dear wife was afflicted: two persons whom 
she had visited having been carried off, within pistol shot 
of our house, I dreaded her being thethird. But the Lord 
. hath heard prayer and she is spared. O what is life! On 
what a slender thread hang everlasting things! My com- 
fort, however, is, that this thread is as strong as the will 
of God, and the word of his grace, which cannot be bro- 
ken.—That grace and peace, love and thankful joy, may 
ever attend you, is the wish of your most obliged friends, 
J. & M. F. 


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SIX LETTERS 
ON 


THE SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION 


OF THE 
SON OF GOD. 


—=IBI=— 
LETTER I. 
Sir, : 

Whuen I had the pleasure of seeing you last, you seemed 
surprised to hear me say, that the Son of God, for purposes 
worthy of his wisdom, manifests himself, sooner or later, 
to all his sincere followers, in a spiritual manner, which 
the world knows not of. The assertion appeared to you 
unscriptural, enthusiastical, and dangerous. What I then 
advanced, to prove that it was scriptural, rational, and of 
the greatest importance, made you desire, I would write 
to you on the mysterious subject. I declined it as being 
unequal to the task ; but having since considered, that a 
mistake here may endanger your soul or mine, I sit down 
to comply with your request: And the end I propose by 
it, is, either to give you a fair opportunity of pointing out 
my error, if I am wrong, or to engage you, if I am right, 


to seek what I esteem the most invaluable of all blessings — 


—reyelations of Christ to your own soul, productive of the 
experimental knowledge of him, and the present enjoy- 
ment of his salvation. 

As an architect cannot build a palace, unless he is 


allowed a proper spot to erect it upon, so I shall not be 
able to establish the doctrine I maintain, unless you allow 


me the existence of the proper senses, to which our Lord 
manifests himself. The manifestation I contend for, being 


Ca 


ce ceaeCnaes hi ’ soa an e 


” SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF ” 


of a spiritual nature, must be made to spiritual senses; 
and that such senses exist, and are opened in, and exer- 
cised by, regenerate souls, is what I design to prove in 
this letter, by the joint testimony of scripture, our church, 
and reason. 

1st. The scriptures inform us, that Adam lost the ex- 
perimental knowledge of God by the fall. His foolish 
attempt to hide himself from his Creator, whose eyes 
are in every place, evidences the total blindness of his 
understanding. The same veil of unbelief, which hid 
God from his mind, was drawn over his heart and all his 
spiritual senses. He died the death, the moral, spiritual 
death, in consequence of which the corruptible body sinks - 
into the grave, and the unregenerate soul into hell. 

In this deplorable state Adam begat his children. We, 
like him, are not only void of the life of God, but alienated 
from it, through the ignorance that is in us. Hence it is, 
that though we are possessed of such an ‘animal and fa- 
tional life, as he retained after the commission of his sin, 
yet we are, by nature, utter strangers to the holiness and — 
bliss he enjoyed in a state of innocence. Though we 
_ have, in common with beasts, bodily ergans of sight, hear. 
ing, tasting, smelling, and feeling, adapted to outward ob-— 
jects ; though we enjoy, in common with devils, the facul- — 
ty of reasoning upon natural truths, and mathematical — 
propositions, yet we do not understand supernatural and 
divine things. Notwithstanding all our speculations about 
them, we can neither see, nor taste them truly, unless we _ 
are risen with Christ, and taught of God. We may, in- 
deed, speak and write about them, as the blind may speak 
of colours, and the deaf djspute of sounds; but it is all 
guess-work, hear say, and mere conjecture. The things 
of the Spirit of God cannot be discovered, but by spiritual — 
internal senses, which are, with regard to the spiritual — 
world, what our bodily external senses are regard to 
diiaatérial world. They are the only medium, by which 


se we PA aa 
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THE SON OF GOp.” 260 . 
ae 


an intercourse between Christ and our souls can be opened 
and maintained. 4 

The exercise of these senses is sate to those who 
are born of God. They belong to what the Apostles call 
the new man, the inward man, the new creature, the hidden 
man of the heart. In believers, this hidden man is awak- 
ened and raised from the dead, by the power of Christ’s 
resurrection. Christ is his life, the Spirit of God is his 
spirit, prayer or praise his breath, holiness his health, 
and love his element. We read of his hunger and thirst, 
food and drink, garment and habitation, armour and con- 
flicts, pain and pleasure, fainting and reviving, growing, 
walking, and working. All this supposes senses, and the 
more these senses are quickened by God, and exercised 
by the new born soul, the clearer and stronger is his 
perception of divine ching 

On the other hand, in unbelievers, the inward man is 
deaf, blind, naked, asleep, past feeling; yea, dead in 

iitistass and sins; and, of course, as incapable of per- 

ceiving spiritual things as a person in a deep sleep, or a 
dead man of discovering outward objects.. St. Paul’s 
language to him is, “ Awake thou that sleepest, arise 
from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” He calls 
him a natural man, one who hath no higher life than that 
his parents conveyed to him by natural generation—one 
who follows the dictates of his own sensual soul, and is 
neither born of God, nor led by the Spirit of God, The 
natural man,” says the Apostle, “ receiveth not the things 
of the spirit, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can 
he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 
He has no sense properly exercised for this kind of discern- 
ment, “his eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into his heart, the things, which God hath rae 
for them that love him.” 

The reverse of the natural man is the spiritual, so called, 
because God hath revealed spiritual things to him by his 

Za 


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_ 270 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


Spirit, who is now in him a principle of spiritual and eter- 
_nal life. “The spiritual man,” says the Apostle, “judg- 
eth, 7. e. discerneth all things, yet he himself is discerned 
of no one.” The high state he is in can no more be 
discerned by the natural man, than the condition of the 
natural man can be discerned by a brute.* 
St. Paul not only describes the spiritual man, but 
speaks particularly of his interaal, moral senses. Chris- 
_tians,,says hé, of full age, by reason of use, have their 
senses exercised to discern good and eyil.t He prays, 
‘that the love of the Philippians “may abound more and 
more in knowledge, and* * * * * in all sense or 
feeling.”{ The scriptures constantly mention, or allude 
to one or other of these spiritual senses: Give me leave 
to produce some instances. on 
ist. To begin with the sicnt. St. Paul prays, that, 
the eyes of his converts being enlightened, they might 
know what is the hope of their calling. He reminds — 
them, that Christ had been evidently set forth crucified 
before their eyes. He assures them, that the God of 
this world hath blinded the eyes of them that believe . 
not the gospel; and declares that his commission was to 
open the eyes of the Gentiles, and turn them from dark- 
ness to light. Abraham saw Christ’s day, and was glad. 
Moses persevered, as seeing him who is invisible. David 
prayed, “Open my eyes that I may see wonders out of — 
thy law.” Our Lord complains, that the heart of unbe- 
lievers is waxed gross, that their ears are dull of hearing, 
and that they have closed their eyes, lest they should see 
with their eyes, understand with their hearts, and be con- 
verted. He counsels the Laodiceans, to anoints their eyes 
with eye salve, that they might see. He declares, that 


ithe world cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because it sees | 


* him not; that the Gaines, which belong to the pe ob- 
4 oye oe 
MA Cor ii, 10-45, Hebi wy. 14 “Pha i 
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x3 THE SON OF Gop. 271 
stinate unbelievers, are at last judicially hid from their 
eyes; and, that the pure in heart shall see God. St. John 
testifies, that he, who does evil, hath not seen God; and 
that darkness hath blinded the eyes of him, that loves 
not his brother. The Holy Ghost informs us, that be- 
lievers look at the things which are not seen, and behold 
the glory of God, shining in the face of Jesus @hrist. 
These are the eyes, with which believers see the salvation 
of God. They are so distinct from those of the body, that 
when our Lord opened them in St. Paul’s soul, he suffered 
scales to grow over his bodily eyes. And no doubt, when 
Christ gave outward sight to the blind, it was chiefly to 
convince the world, that it is he who can say to blind sin- 
ners, “ Receive your sight; see the goodness of the Lord — 
in the land of the living; look unto me and be saved.” 
2d. If you do not admit of a spiritual HEARING, whaf 
can you make of our Lord’s repeated caution: “ He that 
hath an ear to hear, let him hear??? And what can be the 
meaning of the following scriptures—“ Hear, O foolish 
people, who have ears and hear not. Ye uncircumcised 
in heart and ears. Ye cannot hear my words; ye are of 
your father the Devil. He that is of God, heareth God’s 
words ; ye, therefore, hear them not, because ye are not 
of God?” Can it be supposed, that our Lord spake of 
outward hearing, when he said, “ The hour cometh, and 
now is, that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of 
God and live. My sheep hear my voice. He that hath 
heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me?” Do 
not all sinners stand spiritually in need of Christ’s power- 
ful Ephphaatha, be thou opened ? Is that man truly con- 
verted, who cannot witness with Isaiah, The Lord hath 
wakened my ear to hear as the learned; and with the 
Psalmist, mine ears hast thou opened? Had not the believ- 
ers at Ephesus heard Christ, and been taught of him? 
When St. Paul was caught up into the third heaven, did 
he. bear, words unspeakable? And far from think- 
i is 


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272 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


_ing spiritual, hearing absurd, or impossible, did he not 
_ question, whether he was not then out of the body? And 
does not St. John positively declare, that ~o the 
Spirit, when he heard Jesus ty “T am the and the 
last !” 
» 3d. How void of meaning are the folowing passages, if 
they do not allude to that sense, which is calculated for 
the reception of what the barrenness of human language 
* compels me to call spiritual perfumes? “The smell of 
ointments is better than all spices. 'The'smell-of thy gars 
ments is like the smell of Lebanon. All thy garments 
smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia; and because of thé 
savour of thy good ointments, thy-name is as oin 
poured forth.” { 
4th. If believers have nota sitieien faculty of TASTING 
divine things, what delusion must they be under, when 
they say, Christ’s fruit is sweet to their taste; and cry out, 
How sweet are thy words to my taste! they are sweeter 
than honey to my mouth! But how justly can they speak 
thus, if they have tasted the heavenly gift, and the good 
word of God, and, as newborn babes desire the sinceré 
milk of it? Surely, if they eat the flesh of the Son of God, 
drink his blood, and taste that the Lord is gracious, they 
have a right to testify, that his love is better than wine 
and to invite those that hunger and thirst after iene 
ness, to taste that the Lord is good, that they also may 
satisfied with his goodness and mercy, as with marrow 
and fatness. _ 
5th. If we are not to be perfect stoics in religion, if we 
should have one degree more of devotion, than the marble 
statues, which adorn our churches, we should have, I 
think, some FEELING of our unworthiness, some sense of 
God’s majesty. Christ’s tender heart was pierced to 
atone for, and to remove, the hardness of our’s. God 
promises to take from us the heart of stone, and to give 
us an heart of flesh, @ broken and contrite » tees 


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© - ed 
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THE SON OF GOD. 273 


sacrifice of which he will not despise. Good king Josiah 
was praised, because his heart was tender. The conver- 
sion of the three thousand, on the day of pentecost, began 
their being pricked in their heart. We are directed to 
feel after God, if happily we might find him. Our Lord 
himself is not ashamed to be touched, in heaven, with a 
feeling of our infirmities. And St. Paul intimates, that 
the highest degree of obduracy and apostacy, is, to be 
past feeling, and to have our conscience seared as with a 
Hot iron. 

I hope, sir, you will not attempt to set aside so many 
plain passages, by saying, they are unfit to support a doc- 
trine, as containing empty metaphors, which amount just 
to nothing. This would be pouring the greatest contempt — 
on the perspicuity of the oracles of God, the integrity of 
the sacred writers, and the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, 
who inspired them. As certainly as there is a spiritual 
life, there are senses calculated for the display and enjoy- 
ment of it; and these senses exist no more in metaphor, 
than the life that exerts itself by them. Our Lord settled 
the point, when he declared to Nicodemus, that no man 
can see the kingdom of God, the kingdom of grace here, 
and of-glory hereafter, except he is first born of God, born 
of the Spirit; just as no child can see this world, except 
he is first born of a woman, born of the flesh. Hence it 
appears, that a regenerate soul hath his spiritual senses 
opened, and made capable of discerning what belongs to 
the spiritual world, as a new born infant hath his natural 
senses unlocked, and begins to see, hear, and taste, what 
belongs to the material world into which he enters. 

ist. These declarations of the Lord, his prophets and 
apostles, need no confirmation. Nevertheless, to shew 
you, sir, that I do not mistake their meaning, I shall add 
the testimony of our own excellent church. As she strictly 
agrees with the scripture, she makes also frequent mention 

of spiritual sensations, and you know, sir, that sensations 


Bi 


274 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


necessarily suppose senses. She prays, that God would 
“give us a due sense of his inestimable love im the re 
demption of the world, by our Lord Jesus Christ”’* She 
begs, that he would “ make us know and feel there is no 
other name than that of Jesus, whereby we must be 
saved.’’+ . She affirms, that true penitents feel, “the bur- 
dens of their sins intolerable ;”{ that godly persons “ feet 
. in themselves the workings of Christ’s Spirit ;”¢ that “ 
Lord speaks presently to us in the scriptures, to the great 
and endless comfort of all that have any feeling of God in 
them atall :” that godly men felt, inwardly, the Holy Ghost 
inflaming their hearts with the fear and love of God, and| 
they are miserable wretches, who have no feeling of Go 
within them at all :”|| and, that “if we feel the heavy b 
den of our sins pressing our souls, and tormenting us 
the fear of death, hell and damnation, we must stead 
behold Christ crucified, with the eyes of our heart.’’{] 
Our church farther declares, that “true faith is not 
' the mouth and outward profession only, but liveth 
stirreth inwardly in the heart, and that if we feel. 
perceive such a faith in us, we must rejoice:”** That 
“correction, though painful, bringeth with it a taste ¢ 
God’s goodness :”it That, “if after contrition, we f 
our consciences at peace with God, through the r 
sion of our sin, it is God, who worketh that great mi 
in us;’? and she prays, that, “as this knowledge 
feeling is not in ourselves, and as by ourselves it is 
possible to come by it, the Lord would give us grace to 
know these things, and feel them in our hearts.”{{ Sh 
begs that ‘ God would assist us with his Holy Spirit, that 
we may hearken to the voice of the good Shepherd.”§§ 


’ ik .« 

* Thanksgiving. + Office for the sick. { Commanion. §17 
article. || Hom. on certain places of scripture. 1 Hom. on 5 
passion. ** Hom. on faith, Ist and 3d part. tfHom. on 
fear of death, 2d part. t}Hom. for rogation week, 3d part. 
§§ Hom. on repentance, 2d part. 


sl 
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THE son oF cob 275 


She sets us upon asking continually, that the Lord would 
“lighten our darkness,” and deliver us from the two 
heaviest plagues of Pharaoh, “blindness and hardness of 
heart.”* And she affirms, “that if we will be profitable 
hearers of the scriptures, we must keep under our carnal 
senses, taken by the outward words, search the inward 
meaning, and give place to the Holy Ghost,” whose 
peculiar office is to open our spiritual senses, as he open- 
ed Lydia’s heart.7 

If I did not think thettestimony of our blessed reformers, 
founded upon that of the sacred writers, of sufficient weight 
to turn the scale of your sentiments, I could throw in the 
declarations of many ancient and modern‘divines. To 
instance in two or three only. St. Cyrill, in the 13th 
book of his Treasure, affirms, that “men know Jesus is 
the Lord, by the Holy Ghost, no otherwise than they,” 
who taste honey, know it is sweet, even by its proper 
quality.” Dr. Smith of Queen’s College, Cambridge, in 
his select discourses, observes, after Plotinus, that “ God 
is best discerned * * * by an intellectual touch of him.” 
We must, says he, “see with our eyes, to use St. John’s 
words ; we must hear with our ears, and our hands must 
handle the word of life, * * * * * for the sonl hath 
its sense as well as the body.” And Bishop Hopkins, in 
his treatise on the new birth, accounts for the Papists’ 
denying the knowledge of salvation, by saying, “It is no 
wonder, that they, who will not trust their natural senses 
in the doctrine of transubstantiation, should not trust their 
Spiritual ones in the doctrine of assurance.” 
| -IIl. But instead of proving the point by multiplying 
uotations, let me entreat you, sir, to weigh the following 
lobservations in the balance of reason. 
1st. Do not all grant, there is such a thing as moral 
e in the world, and that to be utterly void of it, is to 


4 


* Evening prayer and litany. +Hom. on certain places of 
scripture. , 


PI . 4 i 
276. « SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


‘be altogether unfit for social life? If you had given a friend 
the greatest proots of your love, would not he be i inexcusa- 
ble, if he felt no gratitude, and had absolutely ne 0 sense of 
your kindness. Now, if moral sense and feeling euniver- 
Sally allowed, between man and man, in civil life, why 
should it appear incredible or irrational, that there should be 
such a thing, between God and man, in the divine life? 
* * * * * * * * * + 
4th. To conclude—if material objects t be per- 
ceived by man in his present state, a through the 
medium of one or other of his bodily senses, bya par- 
ity of reason, spiritual objects cannot be discovered, but, 
through one or other of the senses, which belong to the 
inward man. God being a Spirit cannot be worshipped 
in truth unless he is known in Spirit—You may as soon 
imagine, how a blind man; by reasoning on what he feels 
or tastes, can get true ideas of light and colours, as how 
one, who has no spiritual senses opened, ean, by all im 
d 


reasoning and guessing, attain an experimental knowle 
of the invisible God. ; 
Thus, from the joint testimony of Scripture, of ot 
Church, and of Reason, it appears, that spiritual senses | 
a blessed reality. I have dwelt so long on the proof o 
their existence, for two reasons: 1st. They are of infinit 
use in religion. Saving faith cannot subsist and act 
out them. If St. Paul’s definition of that grace be just, 
if it is “ The substance of things hoped for, the evidence 
of things not seen,’”’ it must be a principle of ae 
life, more or less, attended with the exercise of 
senses; according to the poetic and evangelical lines « . 
Dr. Young : ie 
F “My heart awake, ; r ; 

Feel the great truths. To feel is to be fired, 

And to believe, Lorenzo, is to feel.” — 
pal A 

Till professors see the necessity of believing, i in this man- 
ner, they rest in a refined form of godliness. ‘To the con- 


, - 


2 ee 


— r ae ms ads. ath)’ ee i hae | ai 
‘THE SON OF GOD. | QU. 


fidence of the Antinomians, they may, indeed, join the 
high profession of the foolish virgins. They may even 
“crown their partial assent to the traths of the gospel with 
‘the zeal of Pharisees, and the regularity of moralists: but 
still they stop short of the new creation, the new birth, 
the life of God in the soul of man. Nay more, they 
stumble at some of the most important truths of Chris- 
tianity, and think the discoveries, that sound believers 
have of Christ and the spiritual world, are enthusiastical 
delusions, or, at least, extraordinary favours, which they 
can very well do without. Thus, even while they allow 
the power of godliness in others, they rest satisfied with- 
‘out experiencing it in themselves. 
2d. What I shall write will depend very much on the 
existence of spiritual senses: and if this letter convinces 
you, that they are opened in every new born soul, you 
will more easily believe, Christ can and does manifest 
himself by that proper medium ; and. my letters on divine 
‘manifestations will meet with a less prejudiced reader. 
That Emmanuel, the light of the world, may direct 
me to write with soberness and truth, and you to read 
with attention and candour, is the sincere prayer of, sir, 
yours, &c. i FBS 
LETTER IL. 
, Sir, 
vt ‘Havine proved, in my first letter, the-existence of the 
spiritual senses, to which the Lord manifests himself, I 
Shall now enter upon that subject, by letting you know, 
as faras'my pen can do it:—1. What is the nature of 
that manifestation, which makes the believer more than 
conqueror over sin and death. 
- Ist. Mistake me not, sir, for the pleasure of calling me 
husiastic. I do not insist, as you may imagine, upon 
Ti altince of the voice, body or blood of our Lord 
to our external senses. Pilate heard Christ’s voice, the 
Aad 


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278 ‘SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


Jews saw his body, the soldiers handled it, and some of 
them were literally sprinkled with his blood: but this 
answered no spiritual end: They knew not God manifest » 
in the flesh. wt 

-2d. Nor do I understand such a knowledge of our 
Redeemer’s doctrines, offices, promises and performan 
as the natural man can attain, by the force of his un 
standing, and memory. All carnal professors, all foolish 
virgins, by conversing with true christians, hearing gos- 
pel sermons, and reading evangelical books, attain to the 
historical, and doctrinal knowledge of Jesus Christ. Their 
understandings are informed: but, alas! their hea 
remain unchanged.—Acquainted with the letter, a 4 
tinue ignorant of the spirit. Boasting, perhaps, of 
greatness of Christ’s salvation, they remain cies 
unsaved :—and, full of talk about what he hath done for 
them they know ee of Christ, in them val h 
of glory. "= 

3d. Much less is. I mean such a representation. of o 
Lord’s person and sufferings, as the natural man can form 
to himself, by the force of a warm imagination. ' Many. 
by seeing a striking picture of Jesus bleeding on the ero 
or hearing a pathetic discourse on his agony in the garde 
are deeply affected and melted into tears. They raise in 
themselves a lively idea, of a great and good man unjus 


and pity fills their heaving breasts. But, alas! they re- 
main strangers to the revelation of the Son of God by the 
Holy Ghost. The murder of Julius Cesar, pathetically 
described, would have the same effect upon them, . 
crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A deep play would 
them as easily as a deep sermon, and much to t 
purpose; for in either case, their impressions and 
tears are generally wiped away together, 

4th. Nor yet do I understand good desires, meltings of 
heart, victories over particular corruptions, a confi 

Fy 7 


|THE SON OF GoD. 279 


Lord can and will "save us, power to stay our- 
on some promises, gleams of joy, rays of comfort, 
enlivening hopes, touches of love ; no, not even fore- 
tastes of Christian liberty, and of the good word of God. 
These are rather the delightful drawings of the Father, 
than the powerful revelation of the Son. These; like the 
star, that led the wise men for a time, then disappeared, 
and appeared again, are helps and encouragements, to 
come to Christ, and not a divine union with him, "4 
the revelation of himself. 

I can more easily tell you, sir, what this revelation i is 
not, than what it is. ‘The tongues of men and angels want 
proper words to express the sweetness and glory, with 

‘which the Son of God visits the souls that cannOt rest 
without him. ‘This blessing is not to be described, but 
enjoyed. It is to be written, not with ink, but with the 
Spirit of the living God, not on paper, or tables of stone, 
but in the fleshy tables of the heart. May the Lord him- 
self explain the mystery, by giving you to eat of the 
hidden manna, and bestowing upon you the new name, 
which no man knows, save he that receives it! In the 
mean time, take a view of the following rough draft of 
‘this mercy ; and, if itis agreeable to the letter of the word, 

_ pray that it may be engraved on your heart, by the power 
of the Spirit. 

The revelation of Christ, by which a carnal professor 
‘becomes a holy and happy possessor of the faith, is a 
» supernatural, spiritual experimental manifestation of the 
Spirit, power, and love, and sometimes of the person, of 

_ God, manifest in the flesh, whereby he is known and 

enjoyed in a manner altogether new; as new as the 
Browwledze a man, who never tasted any thing but bread 
and water, would have of honey and wine, suppose, being 
dissatisfied with the best descriptions of those rich produc- 
tions of nature, he actually tasted them for himself. 


"280 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


This manifestation is, sodner or later, i or 
lower degree, -vouchsafed to every sincere gh 
the medium of one or more of the Spiritual senses épened 
in his soul, in a gradual or instantaneous manner, as it 
pleases God. No sooner is the veil of unbelief, which 
covers the heart rent, through the agency of the Spirit, 
and the efforts of the soul struggling intova living belief of 
the word: no sooner, I say, is the door of faith opened, 
than Christ, who stood at the door and. knocked, comes in, 
and discovers himself full of grace and trath. Then the 
tabernacle of God is with man. His kingdom comes with 
power. Righteousness, peace and joy, in the Holy 
Ghost, spread through the new born’ soul; eternal life 
begins; heaven is open on earth; the conscious heir of 
glory cries Abba, Father; and from blessed n 
can witness, that he is come to “ mount Zion, and tothe 
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an 
innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly _ 
and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, — 
and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just n I 
made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new 
nant. and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh 
better things than the blood of Abel.” ~ we 

If this manifestation is duly improved, the effects of 
are admirable. The believer's heart, now set at 
from the guilt and dominion of sin, and drawn by the — 
love of Jesus, pants after greater conformity to his holy 
will, and mounts up to him in prayer and praise. 
life is a course of cheerful, evangelical obedience, and h 
most common actions become good works, done to the 
glory of God. If he walks up to his privileges, oxuap 
objects entangle him no more. Haying fo 
I AM, the eternal substance, he looks. 


things as shadows. Man, the dtp ae i all, 
appears to him altogether lighter tham vanity. © se, 


— ——_ e . 
‘THE SON OF GOD. 281 


doubtless, he counts, all things but loss, for the excellency 

sof the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord; esteeming 
them but dung, that he may win Christ, and, to the last, 
be found in him, not having his own righteousness, but 
that which is through the faith of Christ: that, by new 
discoveries of himself, he may know him and the power 
of his resurrection every day more clearly. In the mean 
time, he casts his sins and miseries upon Jesus, and Jesus 
bestows his righteousness and happiness upon him. He 
puts on Christ, and becomes a partaker of the human 
nature. Thus, they are mutually interested in each 
other; and, to use St. Paul’s endearing expressions, 
“they are espoused and married.” Joined by the double 
band of redeeming love and saving faith, they are one 
spirit as Adam and Eve, by matrimony, were one flesh. 
“This is a great mystery,” says the Apostle, “but, 
thanks be to God, it is made manifest to his saints.’’* 

II. If you ask, sir, how can these things be? Describe 
to me the particular manner of these manifestations. I 
reply in our Lord’s words to Nicodemus, “art thou a 
master.in Israel,” nay more, a christian, “and knowest 
not these things?” Verily, I say unto you, though we 
cannot fix the exact mode, and precise manner of the 
breathing of the Spirit, yet, we speak what we do know, 
and testify what we have seen, but you receive not our 
witness. Marvel not, however, if we find it impossible 
to tell you all the particulars of a divine manifestation. 
You, yourself, though you feel the wind, see its amazing 
effects, and hear the sound of it, cannot tell whence it 
-cometh, and whither it goeth; much less could you des- 
cribe it to the satisfaction of one, who never heard or 
felf it himself—Many earthly things cannot be conceived 
“by earthly men. The blind, for example, can never con- 
ceive the difference of colours; what wonder, then, if 

Eph. v. 32. 
Aa 2 


“4A 
282) SPIRITUAL MANIFPESTATINN OF 


natural men do not he BRE, eR: wh 
heavenly things? t 
Nevertheless, I would, in vole steve dial ieaina 

ner, in which the manifestation of the Son of God is 
safed, is not the same in all persons, nor in seine 
person at.all times. 'The wind bloweth where it 

much more the Spirit of the living Gods His thoughts 
are not as our thoughts: he dispenseth his blessings, not 
as we expect them, but as it pleases him. Most common- 
ly, however, the sinner, driven out of all his refuges of lies, 
feels an aching void in hissoul. Unable to satisfy him- 
self any longer, with the husks of empty vanity, dry moral- 
ity, and speculative christianity ; and tired with the best 
form of godliness which is not attended with the power 
of it, he is brought to a spiritual famine, and hungers after 
heavenly food. Convinced of unbelief, he feels the want 
of the faith of God’s operation. He sees, that nothing short 
of an immediate display of the Lord’s arm can bring his 
soul into the kingdom of God, and fill it with righteous- 
ness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, en= 
couraged by lively hopes, he struggles into liberty of heart, 
and prays with groanings, which cannot be uttered:! 
other times, almost sinking under a burden of guilty fea 

or stupid unbelief, he is violently tempted to throw away 
his hope, and go back to Egypt; but an invisible ha 
supports him, and, far from yielding to the base su 

he resumes courage, and determines to follow on to know 
the Lord}tor to die seeking him. Thus he continues wan- 
dering up and down in a spiritual wilderness, until the 
Lord gives him the rest of faith, “the substance of things - 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” | 
This evidence comes various ways. \ Sometime: 
spiritual eye is first opened, and chiefly, though ne 
wrought upon. ‘Then the believer, in‘a:di ransfor: 
ing light, discovers God in the man Christ, percei 
speakable glories jn his: despised person, and admires in- 


—- 


THE SON OF Gop. 288 


finite wisdom, power, justice and mercy, in the blood of 
the cross. He reads the scriptures with new eyes. The 
rious book is unsealed, and every where testifies of 
whom his soul loves. He views experimentally, as 
‘well as doctrinally, the suitableness of the Redeemer’s 
Offices, the firmness of his promises, the sufficiency of his 
righteousness, the preciousness of his atonement, and the 
completeness of his salvation. He sees and feels his inte- 
rest in all. Thus he beholds, believes, wonders, and 
adores. Sight being the noblest sense, this sort of mani- 
festation is generally the brightest. 
Perhaps his spiritual ear is first opened, and that voice. 
which raises the dead, “Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven 


thee,” passes with power through his waiting soul. He. 


knows, by the gracious effect, it is the voice of Him, 
who said once, “ Let there be light and there was light.” 
He is sensible of a new creation, and can say, by the tes- 

/timony of God’s Spirit, bearing witness with his spirit, 
“ This is my Beloved’s voice ; he is mine and I am his. 
I have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness 
of my sins :” and having much forgiven, he loves much, 
and obeys in proportion. 

Frequently also Christ manifests himself, first and chiefly 
to the spiritual feeling. He takes the burden of guilt, de- 
jection, and sin from the heavy-laden soul; and, in the 
‘Toom of it, imparts a strong sense of liberty, peace, love, 


and joy in the Holy Ghost. The ransomed sinner, ena- - 


bled to overcome racking doubts or dull insensibility, be- 
lieves now with the heart unto righteousness, and makes 
confession with the mouth unto salvation. “ Surely,’ 
says he, “in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. 
This is the finger of God. This day is salvation come to 
my soul. None but Jesus could do this for me. The 


Lord he is God; he is my Lord and my God.” This 


manifestation is generally the'lowest, as being made to a 
lower sense ; therefore great'care ought to be taken, not 


~ | 


284 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION or 


to confound it with the strong drawings of teat, 
which it borders. Some babes in Christ, w 


Samuel, have not yet their senses properly « 
know the things freely given to them of God, a 
made uneasy on this very account. Nor can they be 
satisfied, until they find the effects of this manifestation 
are lasting, or they obtain clearer ones by means of the 
nobler senses, the sight or hearing of the heart. 5 
III. Though I contend only for those ‘discoveries | of 
Christ, which are made by the internal senses, because 
such only are promised to all: yet I cannot, without con- 
tradicting scripture, deny, that the external senses have 
been wrought upon in some manifestations. When Abra- 
ham saw his Saviour’s day, he was, it seems, allowed 
wash his feet with water,* as afterwards the penitent 
harlot did with her tears. » And Saul, in his way to Da- 
mascus, saw Jesus’s glory, and heard his) voice both ex- 
ternally and internally, for they, “that journeyed with 
him saw the light, and heard a voice,”. though they could 
not distinguish the words which were spoken. . i 
Sometimes also manifestations, though merely internal, 
have appeared external to those who were favoured with 
them. When the Lord called Samuel, in Shiloh, the pious 
youth supposed the call. was outward, and ran to = 
saying “ thou callest me :” but it seems Jewtibe had s 
his spiritual ear only, otherwise the high priest, who 
within hearing, would have heard it, as well as the your 
prophet. And though Stephen. steadfastly, looked up to 
heaven, as if he really saw Christ there with his bodily 
eyes, it is plain *he discovered him only with those. tis 
faith, for the roof of the house where the court was 


bounded his outward sight ; and had Christ apy eare iin 
the room, so as to be visible to common eyes, the council 
of the Jews would have seen him, as s the pious pri- 
soner gt the ba. 6 i 0) ete ya 


* Gen. xviii. 3. deal Se qo 


— 
THE SON OF GoD. 285 


» Hence we learn—ist. That the knowledge of spiritual 
things, received by spiritual sense, is as clear as the know- 
ledge of natural things, obtained by bodily sense. 2d. 
That it is sometimes possible to be doubtful, whether the 
outward eye or ear is not concerned in particular revela- 
tions ; since this was not only the case of Samuel, but of 
St. Paul himself, who could not tell, whether the unspeak- 
able words, he heard in paradise, struck his bodily ears, 
or only those of his soul. Sd. That no stress is to be laid 
upon the external circumstances, which have sometimes 
accompanied the revelation of Christ. If aged Simeon 
had been as blind as old Isaac, and as much disabled from 
taking the child Jesus in his arms as the paralytic, the in- 


ternal revelation he had of Christ could have made him — 


say, with the came assurance, “ Now Lord, let thy ser- 
vant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salva- 
tion.” If the apostle had not been struck to the ground, 
and his eyes dazzled by outward light, his conversion 
would not have been less real, provided he had been in- 
wardly humbled and enlightend. And, if Thomas, waving 
the carnal demonstration he insisted upon, had experienced 
only in his inner man, that Christ is the resurrection and 
the life, he could have confessed him, with as great a con- 
sciousness he was not mistaken, as when he cried out, 
“ My Lord, and my God!” Iam, sir, yours, &c. 
J. F. 


LETTER III: eile 
Sir) : 
1V. Wuy the Lord manifests himself to the children of 
men is an important question, which { now come to con- 
sider. It is not, we may easily think, for the gratification 
of their curiosity, but for purposes worthy of his wisdom, 
and what these are, we shall soon learn, if we reduce 
divine manifestations to three general classes, Extraor- 
dinary, Ordinary and Mixed ones; and then consider 


bald 


_— 


| 


286 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 
the design and use of each, as'it may be'eollected from 
scripturé. : iS FF 


I. To begin with manifestations of the tse id 
kind: they are such as are either merely ex or 
Vouchsafed to a few only on particular ‘occasions, = are 
by no means essential to salyation. _ 

1st. Some of these are calculated to rouse the thotigle 
less into consideration. Of this kind was the manifesta- 
tion some where favoured with, a little before our Lord’s 
passion. “As he prayed, there came a voice from hea- 
ven, saying, I have glorified my name, and will glorify it 
again.” The people that stood by and heard it, said, 
“it thundered.” | They looked upon the extraordi 
call as something common and natural. “ Others said, 
an angel spake to him. But Jesus said, This voice came 
not because of me, but for your sakes.” a 

2d. Others are intended as a last warning to ‘notorious 
sinners. Of this nature was the terrifying sight Nebu- 
chadnezzar had, in his second dream of “a Watcher and 
Holy One coming down from heaven, and crying aloud, 
Cut down the tree.” And that of the mysterious hand: 
which wrote Belshazzar’s doom on the wall, while he we 
faned the sacred vessels in his night revels. 

3d. Some are designed for the protection of 
people, and the destruction or humiliation of their prot 
enemies. As when the “Lord looked te the Egyptians, 
through the pillar of fire, and troubled their host :” When 
“he cast down great stones from heaven” upon the armies 
of the five kings, who fought against Israel: Or when he 
manifested his presence in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace, to 
quench the violence of the flame, preserve the he a 
fessors, and convince the raging tyrant, that | ’s kin 
dom ruleth over all. ers nd 

4th. The design of others is to encourage th : 
of God in dangerous enterprizes, or direct hem in impor- 
tant steps. Of this kind was ‘that to Joshua, before he 


YHE SON OF GoD. 287 


began the conquest of Canaan; and that to St. Paul, 
‘the Lord stood by him in the prison, and informed 
him he must bear witness to him also at Rome. 

_-5. Some are calculated to appoint some persons to un- 
common services and tridls, or to the prophetic and 
ministerial office. As to that in which Noah was commis- 
sioned to build the ark ; Abraham to offer up Isaac, Moses 
to deliver Israel, Nathan to reprove David, Balaam to 
bless Israel, and Jeremiah to preach to the Jews. 

6th. Others again are designed to answer providential 
ends for the deliverance of the people of God, as those of 
Gideon: or spiritual ends of reproof, instruction, and 
consolation to the church throughout all ages, as most of 
the revelations vouchsafed to the prophets and to St. John. - 

II. The manifestations, essential either to the conver- 
sion of sinners, or edification of saints, and which the 
word of God, and the experiences of christians shew to 
be common to al] believers, inall ages of the church, are 
of the ordinary kind, and their use or design is :-— _ 

lst. To make the word spirit and life, “ quick and 
powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing 
eyen to the dividing asunder soul. and spirit,” that the 
gospel may not come to sinners “in word only but 
also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much as- 
surance.” ; ee 

2d. To ease an anguished conscience, and impart the 
peace of God to a troubled mind: as in the case of broken- 
hearted David, mourning Hezekiah, weeping Peter, and 

Paul agonizing in prayer. 

3d. To reyeal Christ to us, and in us, so as to make us 
savingly believe, and know, in whom we have believed, 
according to the experiences of Peter, Lydia, Cornelius, 
and every living member of Christ. - 

4th. To open a blessed intercourse, and keep up a de- 
lightful communion with Christ; as appears from the ex- 
periences of believers illustrated in the Canticles. 


288 "SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION or 


5th. To silence the remains of ates = 
deepen the humiliation of our souls > as in the cas 
Job. To make us grow in grace, and in he knowle 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. To bruise Satan mder our 
feet, yea to bruise the serpent’s head in. our hearts, and 
seal the exceeding great and “precious promises given to 
us, that we might be partakers of thé divine nature, and 
continue immoveable, always abounding in the work of 
faith, the patience of hope, and the labour of love. In 
a word, “to strengthen us with might, by God’s Spirit, 
in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts 
by faith, and we may. be filled with all the fulness of 
God. 22 f rept Pe 
6th. To prepare us for great trials, — us under 
them, and comfort us after them. This was our Lord’s 
experience before his temptation, after he had overcome” 
the tempter, and when he was in the height of his agony 
This was also the case of David, St. Paul, and of all the 
apostles, when they had been scourged for the name of 
Jesus ; and it is still the case of all true and rh mourn- 
ers in Sion. ei 
7th. And lastly to make us depart in Sessile, as Sime: 
or die in perfect love with our enemies, and in the 
triumph of faith, as St. Stephen. All, who live and 
in the Lord, partake, more or less, of these ordinary 
plays of his powerful presence, and I desire you, sir, t 
remember, that it is chiefly, if not only, in support of 
these important manifestations I take up the pen.” pi 
III. The third class of manifestations is that of 
ones ; so called, because they are partly e: 
and partly ordinary. Some are ordinary | 
_ and extraordinary in their circumstances. 
was the manifestation to the apostles, Ac 
design of it was merely common, i. et 
under contempt, and encourage them 
suffer evil ; but the shaking’ of the pl 


se Ce 


tae 


THE SON OF GOD. 289 


assembled was an uncommon circumstance. The same 
thing may be said of the descent of the Holy Ghost on 
the one hundred and twenty, who were assembled in the 
upper room on the day of Pentecost, and some time after 
upon Cornelius and his soldiers. That they should be 
baptized with the Holy Ghost and spiritual fire was not 
extraordinary, since it is the common blessing, which can 
alone make a man a christian, or confirm him in the 
faith: but that the sound of a rushing wind should be 
heard, and luminous appearances seen resting upon them, 
and that they should have been enabled to speak the 
wonderful, works of God in other tongues, were uncom- 
mon circumstances attending their spiritual baptism. 

Some manifestations are mixt, both as to their design . 
and circumstances. That the iniquity of Isaiah should 
be put away, and St. Paul converted, were not uncom- 
mon things; they are the common effects of ordinary 
manifestations: but that the prophet should be commis- 
sioned to preach to the Jews, and the apostle te open the 
eyes of the Gentiles, were extraordinary circumstances, as 
also, a flying cherub appearing to the one, and a light, 
brighter than the sun, blinding the other. 

IV. For want of distinguishing properly between what is 
ordinary, and extraordinary, in mixt manifestations, per- 
sons, who are not possessed of clear heads, or, what is 
worse, of honest hearts, conclude, that none but enthu- 
siasts speak now of divine manifestations. If they hear it 
affirmed, they must be converted as well as St. Paul, they 
pertly ask, Whether they are Jews, and whether they 
must be struck to the earth by a voice from heaven? 
They wilfully forget, that our Lord spake to his hearers 
as sinful men, and not as bigotted Jews, when he said, 
“except ye be converted, ye cannot enter into the king- 
dom of heaven.” They obstinately refuse to see, that the 
circumstances of the apostle’s falling to the ground, &c. 
were not essential to his conversion, and had no other use 

Bb 


“ 


290 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF ~~ 
than to make his call more remarkable for the conversion 
of the Jews, and comfort of the christians. When the 
same prejudiced persons are told, that they must be born, 
of the Spirit, and receive the Holy Ghost, as well as Cor- 
nelius and his servants, overlooking the ordinary baptism 
‘of the Spirit, they pitch upon-the extraordinary circum- 
stance of the gift of tongues, imparted for a season, to 
remove the prejudices of the Jews, and to draw the atten- 
tion of the Gentiles; and think , with a sneer, and a charge 
of enthusiasm, to overturn the apostolic saying, “If any 
man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of ‘his.” 
Be not deceived, sir; by these persons. Acknowledge, 
that, so sure as you want the regenerating knowledge of 
Christ, you want the manifestation of his Spirit, without 
which he can never be known savingly. To return: 
Though I contend only for the ordinary manifestations 
of Christ, I am far from supposing, that all extraordinary 
or mixt manifestations have ceased. Such a concession 
would savour too much of the Spirit of infidelity, which 
prevails in the church. They are more frequent - 
many imagine. To instance in one particular how far 
am from acquiescing with that infidel spirit: I am s0 
attached to that old book, the Bible, as to say of many, 
who pass for ministers of Christ, Wo to the fooli 
prophets, that follow their own spirit and have seen 
ing; that say, The Lord says, and the Lord hath not 
sent them. I think the desire of being styled reverend, 
or right reverend, and the prospect of a living or a mitre, 
are very improper motives for assuming the sacred cha- 
racter. And I am such an enthusiast as to beliewoas 
church in the right for requiring that all her m 
should not only be called, but even moved by the 
Ghost, to take the office of an ambassador for ( 
upon themselves.* : ‘ 


* Ordination. =~ 


ol 


THE SON OF GOD. 291 


V. Having mentioned the design and use of ordinary 

manifestations, it may not be improper to touch upon the 
abuse of them. ‘Their genuine tendency is to humble to 
the dust. The language of those, who are favoured with 
them, is—Will God indeed dwell upon the earth! Lord 
what is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of 
man that thou visitest him! Now that I see thee, I abhor 
myself. Iam not worthy of the least of thy mercies. I 
am dust and ashes.—But as there is nothing, which the 
heart of man cannot be tempted to corrupt and pervert, 
so as soon as the power attending the manifestation is a 
little abated, Satan begins to shoot his fiery darts of spirit- 
ual pride. You are a peculiar favourite of heaven, whis- 
pers that old serpent, few are so highly blessed. — All. 
your enemies are scattered; you need not be so watchful 
iff prayer, and so strict in self-denial; you shall never 
fall. If the believer is not upon his guard, and quenches 
not these fiery darts with his shield, as fast as the enemy 
throws them, he is soon wounded, and pride kindles again 
upon him. 

St. Paul himself was in danger from this quarter. “ There 
was given him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan 
to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above mea- 
sure, through the abundance of the revelations. Aaron 
and Miriam fell into this snare, when they spake against 
Moses, saying, “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by 
Moses? Hath not he spoken by us also?” David likewise 
acknowledges his error in this respect: “In my pros- 
perity, I said, I shall never be moved, thou Lord, of thy 

_ goodness, hast made my hill so strong ;” but my heart 
was lifted up, and my confidence partly carnal, therefore, 
“thou didst turn thy face from me, and I was troubled.” 
The way to avoid the danger is to foresee it; to look much 
to the lowly Jesus, and upon the first approach of a 
‘temptation to pride, to give, with double diligence, all the 
glory to him that graciously bestowed all, and to take, 


— an 


292 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


with double care, all the shame of our sins to ourselves. 
St. Paul’s direction in this case is excellent : “ Because of 
unbelief some were broken off, and thou stan by faith. 
Be not high minded, but fear.” We 

_ Another genuine effect of divine manifestations is an 
increase of confidence,in the Lord, and of activity in 
his service. What holy boldness filled the souls of those 
worthies, who, through faith, wrought righteousness, and 
turned to flight the armies of the aliens? How did the 
love of Christ constrain the disciples to speak and act for | 
God after the day of Pentecost? Nothing could exceed i 
their fortitude and diligence. Nevertheless, if the temp- 
tation to pride is yielded to, the comforter is grieved, and 
carnal security, indolence of spirit, and indulgence of 
flesh, insensibly prevail. The deluded professor, thouglr 
shorn of his strength, like Samson, fancies himself tlie 
same. Soul, says he, thou hast goods laid up for many — 
years, even for ever; though the Lord manifest himself to’ 
thee no more, be neither uneasy nor afraid; he changes” 
not. Sometimes the delusion grows to that height, t 
the farther he goes from the kingdom of God, the str 
he imagines his faith. He even speaks contemptuous] piety 
that kingdom. He calls righteousness, peace, and joy in 
the Holy Ghost, a frame, a sensible feeling, a low dispen=_ 
sation, beyond which he has happily got. He thanks” 
God he can now rest upon the bare word, without an 
application of it to his heart; that is to say, he can be 
fully satisfied with the letter without the Spirit, he can 
feed upon the empty husks of notions and opinions, as if 
they were power and life. ‘ 

The end of this dreadful mistake is sremrally dh relapse 
into gross sin; witness the falls of David and Solomon ; 
or what is not much better, a settling ina form, without 
the power of godliness, as Laodiceans of old, and too 
many now, who have a name to live and are dead. The 
only way to avoid this precipice, is to follow the light of 


a ee ee 


Lif Oe VO Aiea —_ Sf ee ees 


THE SON OF GOD. 293 


the first manifestation, and look daily for new visits from — 
Christ, till he makes his abode with us, and we walk in 
the light, as he is the light. A manifestation of the Spirit 
last year will no more support:a soul this year, than air 
breathed yesterday, will nourish the flame of life to-day. 
The sun which warmed us last week, must shine again 
this week. Old light is dead light. A notion of old 
warmth is a very cold notion. We must have fresh food 
daily and though we need not a new Christ, we need, per- 
_petually, new displays of his eternal love and power. 
The Lord taught us this important lesson, by making the 
manna he gave Israel in the wilderness to disappear every 
day, and causing that which was not gathered fresh, to 
breed worms and stink. Nevertheless, as the mysterious: 
food kept sweet in the golden pot in the ark, so does the 
heavenly power in Christ, to whom every true Israelite 
will come daily for new supplies of hidden manna; _ for 
fresh manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Thousands, by 
not considering this, seek the living among the dead, 
‘faneying that a.living Saviour is to be found in dead ex- 
periences, and that all is well though they live after the 
flesh, and are perhaps, led captive by the devil at his will. 
But when their souls awake out of this dangerous dream, 
they will be sensible of their mistake, and frankly ac- 
knowledge, “ God is not the God of the dead, but of the | 
living ;” and that “if after they have escaped the pollu- 
tion of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord 
and Saviour Jesus ‘Christ, they are again entangled there- 
in, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than 
the beginning.” 
Leaving these lukewarm, formal, Laodicean_ professors 
to the mercy of God, I subscribe myself, sir, yours, &c. 


JF, 


ih Bb 2 


ee a 
«haa 


294 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 
ee adtijes Aj 
LETTER IV. —_ 
sik Da i; 


VI. Taar some persons, are. blessed with »clearer, 
stronger, or earlier manifestations than others, is un- 
deniable; and why it is so, is one of the mysteries of 
‘God’s kingdom, that shall not be explained until the day 
‘of judgment. In the mean time, the following reflections 
may possibly cast some light on’ that, * subject, and 
help us to say, He does all things well. s 
» Ist. Our Lord suits the manifestations of himself to « the, 
various states of the church. Under the Mosaic dispen-_ 
sation, which consisted much in externals, divine mani-— 
festations had, generally, some external circumstances ; | 
but the christian church being formed upon a more spirit- 
ual plan, is favoured with chicos, pr a 9 idee 
and internal nature. mS piggies 

24: The Lord considers us as veal teint; ina 
state of probation. Were he to indulge us with powerful, 
incessant, overwhelming discoveries of himself, he would 
rather violently force, than gently lead us to repenta 
and obedience. Every day is not a day of Pentec 
Soon after the Son of God had seen the heavens open, he 
was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil; and 
so is his.spouse after him.* St. Paul, by observing, that 
he was not disobedient to the-heayenly*vision, and that he 
kept his body under, lest he should become a cast away, 
intimates that his bright manifestation was not of such con- 
tinuance and force, but he might have disobeyed, as ie 
did in a similar case. Some have, in fact, resisted bri 
manifestations in their day: witness Cain, Judas, I 
Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, and the Israelites: who perished in 
the wilderness; and too many backsliders are resisting 
them now. So sure, then, as there is a time of trial for | 
faith, hope, and patience, there is also an) abatement of 
the power, which attends divine manifestations. 


_ * Hos. ii. 14. © 


+ 


— oe aS Se a a ted sae ee 


THE SON OF Gop. 295 


3d. Our wise Redeemer proportions the means to the 


-end. If the ‘effect of a manifestation of his love is to be 


~~ 


xceeding great, the manifestation must be exceeding 
bright. Suppose the burden of guilt and hardness, temp- 
tation and sorrow, under which one groans, is ten times 


‘greater than) that, which oppresses another, it is plain 


the manifestation, which is to remove the tenfold weight, 
is to be ten times stronger. The same rule holds also 
with regard to sufferings and labours. ‘The hotter the fight 
of afflictions which God’s children are to go through, the 
stronger and the brighter also is the celestial armour put 
upon them at the revelation of the Captain of their 


salvation. 


ei 


4th. Neither can it be doubted, but that our good God, 
in fixing the degree of divine manifestation, hath a pecu- 
liar respect to the state and capacity of the souls to whom 
he discovers himself. The deeper sinners mourn for him, 
the deeper he makes them drink of the cup of salvation at 
his appearing. Blessed are they that greatly hunger and 
thirst after righteousness; their souls are thereby greatly 
enlarged to receive the oil of gladness, and the wine of 
the kingdom. Blessed are the peor in spirit, those, whose 
souls are empty as the vessels of the desolate widow, in 
the days of Elisha; when the heavenly Prophet shall 
visit them, the streams of his fulness shall certainly flow 
according to the degree of their emptiness. 

5th. A skilful physician prescribes weaker or stronger 
medicines, according to the state of his patients. So does 
_ the physician of souls; he weighs, if I may so speak, 


_ every dram of the ety power in the scales of good- 


ness and wisdom. © He knows what quantity of the hea- 


’ es cordial our spirits can bear, and will not without 
_ the greatest care, put the strong wine of his powerful love 


into a weak vessel. He sees that as some persons can 
stand, for a time, the sight of the meridian sun, when others 


are hurt by the first appearance of a taper, so some chris- 


oe 


es ee | 


iag “ : : 
296 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


tians can bear the strong beams of his gracious presence, 
while others are almost overpowered by his faier rays.» 
6th. If some live and die without any manifestations of 

the Redeemer’s love and glory, the ‘reasons of it may 
possibly be found in the abysses of his justice and good- 
ness, They grieve and quench the Spirit, that convinces* 
the world of sin;.and it is very fit they should not have 
him as a comforter, whom they obstinately reject asa 
reprover. Add to this, that as our Lord foresees, that if 
such people were favoured with tokens’ of his more dis- 
guishing condescension, they would only abuse them, as _ 
Cain and the Pharisees did, he puts themnot:to the 

nor suffers them to enhance their guilt by trampling rich- : 
er mercy and love under foot , so that this amor ee 
is, infact, real benigpity.. ©. f 

7th. The Lord not only proportions the dente of his 

powerful appearance to the weakness: of our souls, but 
also to that of our bodies. He knoweth whereof we are — 
made, and remembers that we are but flesh. If the natu- i 
ral sun, that glorious emblem of our Emmanuel, was to 
approach as near our earth, and shine as bright as possi= — 
ble, the insufferable blaze and heat would instantly bli 
and consume us. _ By a parity of reason, was our brig! 
sun of righteousness to manifest his unclouded glory, or ~ 
to appear without the tempering medium of his manhood, 
no flesh could support the sight.. The brain, unable to 
bear-the high operations of the soul, would turn’ the heart _ 
of the wicked, swelled with intolerable pangs,of fear, 
that of the righteous, dilated by overwhelming tran 
of joy, would instantly burst. God therefore says, “ Nc 
man can see my face,” without some dimming veil, “ a1 
live.” Hence arose likewise the grateful exdanetants of 
Manoah and others, when the Lord had manifeste 
self to them, concealed under humana pe 


consumed !” 


‘4 am 
— #4 o> 


a ee ae ee 
¥ : 3 


THE SON OF GOD. 297 


8th. This may, ‘perhaps, help us to account, why the 
Lord still hides his face from some of his sincere seekers. 
They sit begging by the way side of his ordinances, and 
yet he does not pass by, so as to restore to them their 
spiritual sight, that they might know him. In all proba- 

bility he designs them such a bright manifestation, as they 
are not yet able to bear. When their hearts are strengthen- 
ed for the heavenly vision, it shall speak. Let them only 
wait for it. Let patience have its perfect work, and faith 
in the word be tried to the uttermost ; and he, that cometh, 
will come, and will not tarry. He will bring his reward 
with him, a moment of his presence will make them abundant 
amends for the waiting of an age. Were he to appear, 
before they are prepared by the humiliation of repentance 
and the patience of hope, they would be in the case of 
those carnal Israelites, who far from being able to com- 

‘mune with God, could not so much as speak to Moses, 
when he came down from the mount, without first oblig- 
ing him to put a veil over his shining face. 

Peter, James and John were, it seems, the foremost of 
the apostles in spiritual strength and boldness ; neverthe- 
less, the manifestation they had of Christ on the mount 
almost overwhelmed ‘them. Their body sunk under the 
weight of his glory, and when they came out of their 
sleep or trance, they could not recover themselves, “ they 
knew not what they said.” This had been before the 
case of Daniel, and was once more that of St. John. 
The comeliness of the man greatly beloved was turned to 
corruption; he retained no strength. And the beloved 
Apostle, when he saw his Saviour with some additional 
beams of glory, fell at his feet as dead. St Paul not only 
lost his sight on such an occasion, but :vas near loosing his 
life, being unable to take any refreshment for three days 
and three nights. And it is also generally supposed, that 
Moses actually died under the overpowering displays of 
the Redeemer’s loye. Hence we learn, that God’s way 


NA 


298 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


and time are best, and that we are to leave both to his 
gracious wisdom: using the means, in which he has pro- 
mised to manifest himself to those who diligently seek him. 

VIL. What those means are, is whatI come in the last 
place to consider. The agent or author of every divine 
manifestation is the eternal God, one in three, and three 
in one. The Father reveals, the *Son freely discovers 
himself, and the Holy Ghost freely ‘testifies of him.— 
Nevertheless, the scriptures, in general, attribute this won- 
der.of grace to the blessed Spiri » “No man can,” ex. 
perimentally, “say, that pias. 2 is the Lord, but by. 
Holy Ghost.” It is his peculiar office to Sonia? the. 
world of righteousness, by giving us.to know Pa i 
the Lord our righteousness. “He shall glorify me,” 
says Christ, “ for he shall take of mine, and shew it unto 
you.” And this he does without any merit of ours, in 
the means which God hath appointed, and which — 
enables us to use aright. 

These means are both outward and inward. The out- — 
ward are what our church calls “the means of grace ;” 
particularly hearing or reading the word, partaking 
the sacraments, and praying together with one accord for 
the manifestation of the Spirit, as the primitive christiangl 
did.* These means are to be used with the greatest dili- 
gence, but not to be trusted to; the only proper object of - 
our confidence is God, who works all in all. _ It was not 
Moses’ rod, which parted the red sea, but that almighty 
arm, which once divided the water from the water with-— 
out arod. Nevertheless, as Moses was not to throw his” 
rod away, under pretence of trusting in God) aa 
neither was he to rely on the weak instrument, as sige 
divine power resided in it. aly ee 

Though the Lord in general works by means, he ties 
himself to none, and sometimes works wi 
same Spirit, which fell upon Corneliu 


* Acts ii. 1. 


_ Ne ee ee ee ee Pn c 
; s Say 
ay” “ 


THE SON OF GOD. 299 


ed, fell upon Peter on the day of Pentecost without any 
preaching. And the same Lord, who opened Lydia’s 
heart by the ministry of St. Paul, opened the heart of St. 
Paul by the sole exertion of his power. We hence learn, 
_ that as, on the one hand, we ought not, with the profane 
and enthusiasts, to tempt the Lord, by neglecting the use 
of any of the means he hath appointed ; so, on the other 
hand, we must beware of confining God to particular 
means, times, and places, as the bigotted and superstitious 
do; remembering, that when we are cut off from all out- 
ward means, it is our privilege to wait for the immediate 
display of God’s arm, in the use of the inward means. 
- Of these, the 1st. is a believing, there will be a perfor- 
mance of the Lord’s promise, and that he is willing and able 
to manifest himself to us as he does not to the world : this 
is the very root of prayer, fervency, hope and expectation. 
_ Without the actings of this preparatory faith, the soul 
 droops, and becomes an easy prey to despondency, vanity, or 
sloth. Where this talent is buried, the Lord seldom works. 
Believest thou, that I am able to do this for thee? is gene- 
rally the first question, that he puts to the seeker’s heart. 
If it is answered in the negative, he can do no great mira- 
cle, because of this unbelief. Nevertheless it must be 
acknowledged, that St. Paul was blessed. with the revela- 
tion of the Son of God, without any previous desire or 
expectation of it; In him and others was this scripture 
fulfilled, “1 was found of them that sought me not, I was 
manifested to them that asked not after me.”’ But, in 
general, where the gospel is preached, the Lord will be 
inquired of by the house of Israel to do this; and if he 
visit any with conviction, as he did St. Paul, it is only 
to make them pray, as that apostle did, until he manifests 
himself, by the Holy Pham in a way of consolation 
and love. 


The 2d. inward means of ie snails of Christ _ 


is resignation, as to the particular manner, time; and 
gn 9 Pp ; ry } 


ee 


a. ee 
4 “a ae 


300 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION ae 


place of it. Through patience, as well as faith and prayer, 
we inherit this promised blessing. Some, according to , 
their carnal wisdom and forward imagination, mark out 
the way in which salvation is to come to their hearts; but 
the Lord, generally, disappoints those unhumbled seekers, 
though, as in the case of Gideon, he may ; gratify one ina 
thousand: for believers are “ not born of the will of the 
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The Jews 
expected the Messiah, and there they were right: butthey — 
expected him in their own way, and there they stumbled 
and fell. While they looked for a mighty conquer 
another Alexander, to make them great, they verloo 
the lowly Prince of peace, who came to make them : 
and, at last, they crucified him as a base impostor. This 
Jewish disposition is in all by nature. Hence Christ is 
commonly rejected in the Spirit by Christians, as he was 

in the flesh by the Jews. We would have him come to _ 
give us an idle rest, but he appears to teach us to deny ~ 
ungodliness, and fight the good fight of faith: this we do \ 
not like. Our nature wants to step at once into a throne; 
but he offers first to nail us to the tree, and to crucify our ; 
flesh with its affections and lusts : and from this we shrink 

as from the grave. -We expect to be carried at once to — 
the top of Mount Tabor, to see unutterable glory ; but he 
leads us to Gethsemane to watch and pray, or to Calvary > 
to suffer and die with him; here we recoil and do not 
chuse to know him. -Our forward impatience dictates, that ; 
he shall instantaneously turn our midnight into noonday 5 
but instead of manifesting himself at once as the meridian — ad 
sun, he will, perhaps, appear only as the morning: star, 
that our light may shine more and more unto the perfect I 
day. This defeats our counsel: we despise olor of — 
small things, and do not think so low an appearat h 
our notice and thanks. If you, sir, ever s » saving 
knowledge of Jesus, never stop till you can witness your 
sun goes down no more; but, in the mean time, never 


ny 


— i eS ee Ak ee la lis 
: ? 


THE SON OF GOD. 301 


slight the least ray of the heavenly tight. The least may 
open into the broad day of eternity. Cease from your 
own false wisdom, and become as a little child, or you 
cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, and see the king in 
his beauty. . 

The 3d and last inward mean, I would recommend to 
tnournérs in Sion, is a tender regard for the reproofs of 
the Spirit, a constant attention to the drawings of the 
Father, obedience to the calls they have to secret prayer, 

and a fear of depending upon their duties, and not solely 
upon the faithfulness of Jesus-Whoever follows these 
directions, according to the grace given him, will of course 
cease from outward evil, and do, as he can, the little good 
his hand finds to do. This is a better way of waiting for 
the revelation of Christ, than to lie down in dejection and 
hopeless unbelief. All those, who sullenly bury their 
one talent, and wilfully retain the accursed thing, conti- 
plain in vain that their Lord makes long tarrying. They 
obstinately grieve his convincing Spirit, and then absurdly 
clamour, because he does not reward them for it, by the 
comforts of his heavenly presence. Let us not be so un- 
reasonable. Let us strive “to enter in at the strait gate ;”” 
remembering, that “ many shall seek to enter in, and shall 
not be able.” _ But let us strive lawfully, not making our- 
selves a righteousness of our own seeking, knocking, and 
striving. ‘lhe sun shines not because we deserve ity by 
undrawing our curtains, but because it is its nature.— 
Jesus visits us, not because of any merit in our prayers, 
&c. but for his own sake, because his truth and compas- 
sion fail not. Free grace opens the door of mercy, not to 
works and merit, but to want and misery. “That you and 
} may knock and press in, with all needy, penitent, be- 
lieving sinners, is the earnest wish of a heart, which 
prompts me to subscribe myself, sir, yours, &e. J. F. 


ce 


ae ¥ . 


302 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 
ee a, a z 
» Sir, / ; oO \ > Soe 


‘Wnuen I told you, that, in all ages, Jehoy; 
manifests himself in a peculiar manner to his people, 
exclaimed against the assertion as .altogether new and 
unscriptural. It lies upon me, ‘therefore, to prove, that 
antiquity and scripture are on my side. I shall, seo 
this letter, appeal to the manifestations yecorded in 
Old Testament. You cannot expect all the- rev io 
of any child of God, much less those of eve 
mentioned in so “anil a history as that of eee 
Nevertheless, enough is said on the point to ‘convince u 
that, in every age of the Church, God hath favoured 
sons of men with peculiar displays of his presence. 

Let us go back as far as Adam himself. Did not the 
Lord familarily converse with him before the fall, both 
when he presented him with a partner, and when -he 
brought every beast of the field before him, to see what . 
he would call them? Did he not visit him after the fall, — 
to pronounce his sentence, and to promise, that he would 
become the woman’s seed, and bruise the serpent’s head? | 
Was not this manifestation granted to Abel, when the 
Lord had respect to his sacrifice; the very cause of 
Cain’s envy, wrath, and murder? Did not Enoch’s walk- 
ing with God imply a constant union and ‘communion — 
with Emmanuel? And how could this union have taken 
place, if the Lord had not first revealed himself to the 
Patriarch ? Must not two persons meet and agree, before 
they can walk and converse together ! 

‘Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and, in 
consequence of it, was made oan + with: his righte- 


w« 


— — ——_  -- . OV —s—e- eo eS Oe 


e THE SON OF GOD. 303 


promised him Isaac and Isaac’s mysterious seed. Several 
years after, for the trial of his faith, he commanded him 
to sacrifice that favourite son; and when the trial was 
ever, he testified his approbation of Abraham’s conduct. 
He went farther. Read Gen. ch. 18th, and you will see, 
how the divine philanthrophy, or the love of God towards 
man appeared, in condescending to clothe himself, before- 
hand, with the nature he was to assume in the virgin’s 
womb, and to converse -in this undress with the father of 
the faithful, as a prince with his favourite, or a friend with 
‘his confidant. 

Sarah and Agar, Isaac’ and Rebekak, had their divine 
manifestations ; but those of Jacob deserve our particular 
attention. When he fled to Syria from the face of his 
brother Esau, and lay desolate in a field, having only a 
heap of stones for his pillow, the God of all consolation 
appeared to him; “and behold the Lord stood above the 
mysterious ladder, on which the angels of God ascended 
and descended, and said, I am the Lord—behold, I am 
with thee, and will keep thee in all places, whither thou 
goest.. And Jacob called that place Bethel, the house of 
God, and the gate of heaven;” as if he had wanted to 
intimate, no one ever found the gate of heaven, but by a 
manifestation of Christ, who is alone the way to the 
Father, and the door into glory. When the same patri- 
arch returned to Canaan, and was left alone one night, 
there wrestled a man with him till the breaking of the day. 
And when this extraordinary person said, “Let me go 
for the day breaketh; he replied, I will not let thee go, 
unless thou bless me ;”? and he blessed him there, acknow- 
leding that he had power with man and God, even with 
him, whose name is Emmanuel, God with us. “ And 
Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (the face of 
God) for he said, I have seen God face to face, and my 
life is preserved.’”’ «The design of this manifestation was 
merely to strengthen his faith, and we learn from it, that 


¥ a Meek 
304 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF oe 


the children of the faithful Abraham w in prayer 
with the God-man, as Jacob did, au in and 
are blessed as he was. ; 

Moses was favoured with numberless. meitiNtatiens, 
sometimes as prime minister of the King of the Jews, 
and at other times only as a common believer. “ There 
appeared to him, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, the 
angel of the Lord in a flame of fire i ina hush ; and whea 
Moses saw it, he. drew near, and the voice of the Lord | 
came unto him, saying, I am the God of | thy fathers,’ — $ 
&e.”* Many partock of a sight equally glorious: “| Mon 
ses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the eld 
of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel, and 
was under his feet, as it were a paved work, of sapphire 
stone, and, as it were, of the body of heaven in its clear- 
ness; and upon the nobles of the children of Israel he 
laid not his hands; also they saw God and did eat and 
drink.”+ —“ Behold,” said Moses . upon the occasion, 
“the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory, and we 
have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire, and we 
have seen this day, that God doth talk with man and he 
liveth.”{ All Israel shared sometimes in the,glorious 
manifestation. They all drank of that spiritual rock that 
followed them, says St. Paul, and that rock was Christ. 
“ The cloud of the Lord was upon the tabermacle by day,” 
says the Jewish historian, “and fire was upon it by night, 
in the sight of all the house of Israel.” ‘Tt came to 
pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy 
pillar, descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, 
and the Lord talked with Moses, and all the people saw 
the cloudy pillar, and rose up and worshipped, every man. 
in the door of his tent. And the Lerd spake to Moses 
face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend. § - So indul- 
gent was Emmanuel.to him, that when he s d, “I bes 
seech thee shew me thy glory,” ‘the Lord answered, «3 


” * Acts vii. 30. tEx. xxvi. 10,11. $ Dent. v.24. § Ex. xxiii. 9. 


“se - S28 ‘ 


ll i ee ee a oH . ie 


THE SON OF GOB, ; 305 


will make all my goodness pass before thec but thou canst 
not see my face (without some-veil) and live.” And (Oh, 
astonishing condescension!) the Lord descended in the 
cloud, and stood with him, and proclaimed the name of the 
Lord. Jehovah, Jesus passed before him, and proclaimed 
Jehovah, Jehovah, i. e. revealed to him the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, one merciful God together with himself. 
And Moses made haste, bowed his head towards the 
earth, and worshipped. These displays of divine good- 
ness and glory left a divine impression on the counténance 
of the man of God ; his face shone so transcendantly glo- 
rious, that the children of Israel were afraid to come 
nigh him; and Hi Was obliged to put a veil upon it, before 
he could Oe them. Though this appears. 
very extraordinary, the apostles inform us, that what hap- 
pened to tke countenance of Moses, happens to the souls 
of all believers. By faith they behold the Lord through 
the glass of gospel promises, and beholding him they are 
made partakers of the divine nature;—they are changed 
into the same image from glory to glory. 

Joshua, Moses’s successor, was d with many such 
manifestations, each of which “one to him new de- 
grees of courage and wisdom. ‘To instance in one only: 
“ When he was by Jericho, he lift up his eyes and looked, 
and behold, there stood a man over-against him, with his 
sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went to him, and 
said, Art thou for us, or for‘our adversaries ? And he said, 
ray, but.as captain of the Lord’s host am I come. And 
Joshua (sensible it was Jehovah) fell on his face to the 
earth, worshipped, and said to him, What says my Lord 
to his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said to 
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place 
whereon thou standest is holy ground; and Joshua did 
so.”* Every true discovery of Christ hath a similar 
effect. It humbles the sinner, and_makes him worship in 


* Josh. v. 18. 
ec 2 


~— 
Rid - 


$06 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


the dust. He sees holiness to the Lord, eetee: upon 
every surrounding object; he is loosed foil earth and 
earthly things, and the towering walls of sin fall before 
him, as those of Jericho, soon after. this manifestation, did 
before Joshua. 

~ When that Chief was dead, the cai heavenly Petit 
called the angel of the Lord, came from Gilgal to Bochim, 
and spake such words to all the children of Israel, that 
the people were universally melted 3 they lift up their 
voice, wept and sacrificed.* Nothing can so effectually 
make sinners relent as a sight of him whom they have 
pierced. When they have it, whateyer place they are 
in becomes a Bochim, a valley of tears and adoration. 

Not long after the Lord manifeste df self to Deborah, 
and by the wisdom and fortitude eiiiauttcaved to her in 
that revelation, she was enabled to judge Israel, and lead 
desponding Barak te certain vietory through nine hundred 
chariots of iron. 

The condescension of our Bniaiouaiel appears in a still 
more striking light, in the manifestation, which he vouch= 
safed to Gideon. — mysterious “ Angel of the Lord, 
(again and again’ Jehovah) came and sat under an 
oak in Ophrah, appeared to Gideon and said, The Lord is 
with thee and thou shalt smite the Midianites § as One & 

And the Lord looked upon him, (what a courage inspiring 
look was this! as powerful no doubt, as that which met 
cursing Peter’s eye, and darted repentance to his heart!) 
and ke said, Go in this thy might; have not I sent thee? 
And Gideon said, Alas! O Lord God, for because I have 
“seen the angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord 
said unto him; Peace be unto thee, fear not thou shalt 
aot dic.” Thus strengthened and comforted he built an 
altar to Jehovah-Shalom, and threw down the altar of 
Baal.t Hence we learn, that, when Jesus manifests him- 
self to a sinner, he fills him with a noble contempt of Baal, 


* Judg. ii. 1=6. t Judg. vi. 12, dc. 


THE SON OF GoD: 307 


an effectual resolution to break down his altars, and a divine 
courage to shake off the yoke of the spiritual Midianites. 
He imparts to him a comfortable assurance, that the bitter- 
ness of death is past, and that Jehovah-Shalom, the God of 
peace, even Christ our peace is with him ; and the sinner, 
constrained by the love of Christ, gives him his believing 
heart, and offers sacrifices of thanksgiving on that best of 
altars. Here begins such a free intercourse between the 
Redeemer and the redeemed, as we find begun between 
the Lord and Gideon, only of a far more spiritual and 
delightful nature. 

Some years after, the same Angel of God appeared to 
Manoah’s wife and promised her a son. Her husband 
prayed for the same manifestation. God hearkened to 
his voice. The heavenly personage manifested himself a 
second time. Manoah asked him his name, and the 
“ Angel said to him, Why askest thou after my name, 
seeing it is a sécret?” I am not yet called Jesus. Manoah 
offered a burnt offering, the Angel received it at his hands ; 
and, while he ascended in the flame of the altar, Manoah 
fell on his face to the ground, knew tliat he was the Angel 
Jehovah, and said to his wife, we shall surely die, because 

Wre have seen God. She comforted him under his fears ; 
and the birth of Samson, instead of their death, was the 
consequence of this two-fold manifestation. 

There was a time when Samuel did not yet know the 
Lord, neither was the word of the Lord, that word which 
was aiterwards made flesh, yet revealed unto him. The 
devoted youth worshipped in the dark, till, “the Lord 
appeared again in Shiloh, came, stood, and called Samuel, 
Samuel ; for the Lord revental himself to him there, by 
the word of the Lord.” From that memorable time, “ the 
Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to 
the ground.” The intercourse between God and his prephet 
soom grew to so great a degree, that the sacred historian 


= sn ie 


S08 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 
says, “the Lord told him in his ear,” what he wanted 
him to be informed of.* say Sabie gl fe oe 


David had many manifestations: of Christ, and his par- 
doning love ; 3 and, far from supposing this blessing pecu- 
liar to himself as a prophet, he declares, that ‘ “ for this 
a one that is godly shall pray to God, when | er 
be found.”t He knew his Shepherd’s inward voice | 
well, that, without it, no outward message, though ever so 
comfortable, could restore peace to his troubled. ind.— 
When he had been convinced of his crimes of and 
murder, by the close application of ‘Nathan’s parable, the 
prophet assured kim the Lord had put away his sin, he 
should not die. _This report would have contented many 
of our modern penitents ; but nothing short of an imme- 
diate manifestation of the forgiving God could comfort the 
royal mourner. _ “ Wash thou me, says he, and I shall be 
clean.” Nathan’s s words, though ever so true, cannot do. 
this; speak thyself, merciful Lord, “make me hear joy 
and gladness, that the bones which thou’ hast broken nay 
rejoice.” 

Exceeding remarkable was the rey elation ae son Sole- 
mon was favoured with. “In Gibeon, where he was 
gone to sacrifice, the Lord appeared. unto him, in a» 
by night, and God said, ask what I shall give thee.” Ca 
scious of his greatest want, “he asked an undertan 
heart. The speech pleased the Lord, and .God 
because thou hast asked this thing, I have done acco : 
to thy word; lo, I have given it thee; and that. also whiel 
thou hast not asked, both riches and honour.” Tho 
this promise was made to him in a dream, he knew by. 
change, which he found i in himself, when he awo 


* 1 Sam. ii. 7, and ix. 15, — + Ps. xaxii. 6. 


THE SON OF GoD. 309 


feast to all his servants on the occasion.* Nor was this 
the only time Solomon was thus favoured. When he had 
built the temple, and prayed for a blessing upon it, “the 
Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared 
to him in Gibeon, and said, I have heard thy prayer.t 
Elijah is so famous for the power he had to obtain 
divine manifestations by the prayer of faith, that St. 
James, proposes him to the church for a pattern of suc- 
cessful wrestling with God. And who is the Lord God 
of Elijah, but the God that manifests himself to his wor- 
shippers, in opposition to Baal and other false gods, from 
whom neither visits nor answers can be obtained? The 
Lord answered him by fire at the foot of mount Carmel, 
and by showers on the top: and “when he lodged in 
mount Horeb in a cave, behold, the Word of the Lord 
(Jehovah Jesus) came to him, and said, What doest thou 
here Elijah? Go forth, stand upon the mount before the 
Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by!” and in his 
still, small voice, comforted, supported, and directed him. 
_ Micaiah, another man of God, “saw the Lord sitting 
on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him 
on his right hand and on his left.”§ Elisha was not only 
blessed with frequent manifestations of the Lord and his 
power, but of his heavenly retinue also. He saw in an 
hour of danger “the mountain full of horses and chariots 
of fire,’ ready to protect him; and at his request, the 
Lord condescended to open his servant’s eyes, that his 
drooping spirits might revive at the sight.|| 
Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, related to.him, that “in 
_ thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep 
_ falleth on men, fear and trembling caine upon him. Then 
"a spirit passed before his face; it stood still, but he could. 
not discern, 7. e. clearly: distinguish, the form thereof. 


* 1. Kings iii. + 1.Kingsix.2, ¢ 1. Kingsxix.9. § 1 Kings 
xxii. 19. || 2 Kings vi. 17. 


“ a sr 


310 SPIRITUAL itt > ag. or 


An image ‘was pélone his face, ap on say- 
ing, Shall Wuortal man be more pure than God?” _As for 
Job, when he had jong contended with” ee 

Lord : answered him out of the whirlwind, and. 
himselfin a manner, to which that good ‘man velo 
astranger. “I have heard of thee by the mare 
ear, but now mine eye seeth thee 5. whe »Ta 
myself, and repent in dust and ashes ile 
learn, that nothing but a discovery of the 1 Lord 
the vain: reasonings of self-righteous pleas and unb 
ing fears : this alone makes us to Kk in deep prostration at 
our Maker’s feet. i-th. 

St. John informs us, sfiad Isaiah saw Christ’s eh, 
and spake of him, when he described. the glorious 
festation, in which he received a new seal of par 

s 


and sanctifying love. “I saw the Lord, says he, 

upon his throne, high and lifted up; his train fille 
temple. The Seraphim, covering their faces with their 
wings, cried one to another, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the 
Lord of hosts. Then said I, wo is me, for I am undone, 
because I am a man of unclean lips, and 1 dwell in the 
midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine es have seen 
the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then ides one of 
Seraphim, and touching me with a live coal from « 
altar, he said, Thine iniquity is taken away, and 
purged.”+ Many never witness the forgiveness. 
sins, till they see by faith the Lord of hosts, | 
melted into repentance, and inflamed with lové 
glorious sight. Isaiah not only beheld Christ’s 
but was blessed with the clearest views of his su 
He saw him as “a man of sorrows, and acq 
griefs ;” and asked him, “ why he was red 
and his garments like him that treadeth in t 
These revelations were not only calealaiey for 


* Job xxxviii. 1. and xlii,5..——t_‘Tsa. vi. 1. &e. + 


THE SON OF Gop. 311 


the church, but also for the establishment of the prophet’s 

faith. ‘ 
_- I shall not mention those of Ezekiel; they are so nu- 
merous, that a particular account of them would alone 
fill a letter: Irefer you to the book itself. Jeremiah, 
‘speaking of God’s people, says, in express terms, the 
Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying. “ Yea, I 
haye loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with 
loving kindness have I drawn thee.”* Daniel enjoyed the 
same favour. “He saw the Ancient of Days, and one 
like the son of man coming with the clouds of heaven.” 
We may naturally suppose, that Daniel’s three compan- 
ions; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, were sensible 
of their heavenly delivereer’s presence. They were more 
concerned in the discovery than Nebuchadnezzar, who 
cried out, “ LoI see four men loose, walking in the midst of 
the fire, and the form of the fourth is like the Sonof God.” 

It would be absurd to suppose, that the lesser prophets, 
and other men of God, to whom the word of the Lord 
came, had no discovery of the Lord himself, the essential 
word. If some display of his presence had not attended 

. their every revelation, might they not have said, thus says 
my warm imagination,—thus says my enthusiastic brain, 
as well as, thus says the Lord ? 

From the variety and authenticity of these manifesta- 
tions, left upon sacred record, I conclude, that the doctrine 
I maintain, far from being new and unscriptural, is sup- 

_ ported by the experiences of God’s children for three thou- 
sand and six hundred years, viz. from the creation of the 
world till the close of the Old Testament. 

With respect to what is extraordinary, as to the design, 
and barely external, as to the circumstances of some of 
these manifestations, I refer you to the distinctions I made 
on that subject in my second letter. Should you object, 
that the contents of this prove only, that God favoured 


* Jer, xxxi. 3. 


312 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


the Patriarehs and Jews with immediate revelations of 
himself, because they had neither the ‘gospel este scrip~ 
tures; I answer, 

Ast. The Gospel was preached to the 


part of the scriptures, even all rs itings of 
Under the kings, they had the Pry, JE ] 


one of which only has been handed down to our ed 
They had also the book of Nathan the prophet, the ee 
phecy of Abijah the Shilonite, and the visions of Iddo th 
seer, which are now lost. These contained the substa = 
of the bible. > CRS 

2d. When the Lord answered Saul no ‘nie et n eithe 
by prophets, nor by dreams, the reason assigned | or it by 
the Holy Ghost, is, not that the canon: of scripture wi 
filléd, and there was no more oceasion for ‘immediate rev= 
elations ; but that the Lord _was departed from him, and 
was become his enemy- 

3d. David, who had the hodoue ar being a satted wit 
ter himself, after his relapse into sin, could not be satisfied 
with the Psalms he had penned down, but mourned, 7 

ed, and watered his bed with his tears inconsolable 

Lord immediately revealed his pardoning Jove, E: 
to his soul I am thy salvation. ; 

4th. If because we have the ead of. s 
must be deprived of all immediate manifestations ° 
and his Spirit, we are great losers by that blesse 
and we might reasonably say—“Lord b 
the dispensation of Moses. Thy Jewis 
formerly converse with thee face to face, 
know nothing’ of thee, but by their writi 
ed thy i in various wonderful app 


e « 
. ¥ 
xh? ad ny ’ 2 


_THE SON OF GOD. 313 


They had the bright Shekinah, and we have only ob- 
seure descriptions of it. They were blessed with lively 
oracles and we only with a dead letter... The ark of thy 
covenant went before them, and struck terror into all their 


- adversaries ; but a book of which our enemies make daily 


sport, is the only revelation of thy power among us. 


They made their boast of Urim and Thummim, and re- 


ceived particular, immediate answers from between the 
Churubim; but we have only general ones, by means of 
Hebrew and Greek writings, which many do not under- 


-stand. They conversed familiarly with Moses, their 


‘ 


mediator, with Aaron their high-priest, and Samuel their 
prophet; these holy men gave them unerring directions in 
doubtful cases ; but, alas! the apostles and inspired men 
are all dead, and thou Jesus, our Mediator,- Priest, and 


Bs 


BP rophet, canst not be consulted to any purpose, for thou 


_ manifestest thyself no more. As for thy sacred book, thou 


¥ 


_ knowest that sometimes the want of money to purchase 
it, the want of learning to consult the original, the want 
of wisdom to understand the translation, the want of skill 
or sight to read it, prevent our improving it to the ‘best 
advantage, and keep some from reaping any benefit from 
itat all. O Lord, if, because we have this blessed picture 


of thee, we must have no discovery of the glorious original, 


have compassion on us, take back thy precious bock, and 
impart thy more precious self to us, as thou didst to thy 
ancient people.” 

5th. St. Paul declares, that though the Mosaic dis- 
pensation was glorious, that of Christ exceeds it in glory. 
_ But if Christ revealed himself immediately to the Jews, 


»and to christians only mediately, by the letter of a book, 


| 


it is plain the apostle was mistaken ; for no one can deny, 
‘it is far more glorious to see the light of God’s counte- 


~ nance and hear his voice, than merely to read something 
about them in a book. 


pd 


- 
a 


314 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


6th. That particular manifestations of ‘ 
ceasing with Jewish, have increased in br 
spirituality under the christian dispensation, I Raiendcs- 
vour to prove in my next. I am, sir, &c. 


LETTER VI. 


Sir, 
AccorDING to my promise, I shall now prove, that. 
New Testament abounds, as well as the Old, 
accounts of particular revelations of the Son of God. 
Before his birth, he manifested himself to the : 
virgin, by the oversbindowane power of the ‘eto 
She rejoiced in-God her Saviour, and gloried 2 in 
. having him revealed as God in her soul, than 
him conceived as man in her womb. Soon after 
her husband, was assured, in a heavenly dream, 
child she bore was Emmanuel, God withus. He 
himself next to Elizabeth. When she heard the S' 
of Mary, she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and n 
sensible, that the virgin was the mother of her Lor 
powerful was this manifestation, that her unborn son 
affected by it. —The babe leaped in her vou for 4! 


er’s womb. 

So important is a particular knowledge of Jesus, ha 
an angel directed the shepherds, and a miraculous sté 
the wise men, to the place where he was born: and 
the Holy Ghost so revealed him to their a e th ni 


not contain. 

Simeon, who waited for the consolation of 

it revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he 

see death, before he had seen the Lord’s 

promise was fulfilled ; and while his bod eyes iscovered 

nothing but a poor infant, pre esented » out pomp in J 
oe 


> Ss. 


Me 


THE SON OF GoD. 315 


temple, his spiritual eyes perceived him to be the light of 
Israel, and the Salvation of God. Nor was this extra- 
ordinary favour granted only to Simeon, for it is written, 
all flesh shall see the Salvation of God; and St. Luke in- 


forms us, that Anna partook of the sight with the old 


Israelite, gave thanks to her new born Lord, and spake of 
him to all that waited for redemption in Jerusalem. 

When he entered upon his ministry, he first manifested 
himself to his forerunner. “I knew him not” personally, 
said John ; “but he that sent me to baptize with water, said 
unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, 
and remaining on him, the same is he, who baptizes with 
the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bear record, that this 
is the Son of God, the Lamb, that taketh away the sins 
of the world.” 

Jesus had manifested himself spiritually to Nathaniel 
under the fig tree ; and the honest Israelite, being remind- 


- ed of that divine favour, confessed the author of it : “ Rab- 
bi, said he, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of 


Israel.” - Our Lord, pleased with his ready confession, 
promised that he should see greater things, enjoy bright- 
er manifestations, than these; that he should even see 
heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descend- 
ing upon the son of man. 

The bare outward sight of our Saviour’s person and 
miracles rather confounded than converted the beholders. 


- What glorious beams of his Godhead pierced throngh the 


veil of his mean appearances, when, with supreme au- 
thority, he turned the buyers and sellers out of the temple: 
When he entered Jerusalem, in triumph, and all the city 
was moved, saying, Who is this? And when he said to 
those who apprehended him, I am He, and they went 
backward, and fell to the ground! Nevertheless, we do 
not find, that one person was blessed with the saving 


knowledge of him, on any of these solemn occasions. The 


people of Galilee saw most of him, and yet believed least 


b 
Bay 


Ge -) 
ad 
316 _ SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION fd 


in him. “What wisdom is this, which is given to this 
man, said they, that such mighty works are at by 
his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary? 
and they were offended at him.” Some went even so 
far as to ascribe his miracles toa diabolical power, affirm- 
ing, that he cast out devils by Beelzebub the prince of ‘the | 
devils. Hence it appears, that if he had not in some de= _ 
"gree, revealed himself to the hearts of his disciples, when — 
he said to them, follow me, they would never have for- 
saken all immediately and followed him. He manifested ~ 
forth his glory, says St.. John, and his disciples beli 
on him; and yet, when the manifestation was chief 
external, how weak was the effect it produced even upon 
them? How was our Lord, after all obliged to upbraid 
them with their unbelief, their little faith, and, ona particu- | 
lar oceasion, with their having no faith? ir we know, | 
savingly, that Jesus is God with us, flesh and blood, ¥. ei 
mere man; with all his best powers, hath not revealed” 
this to us, but our Father, who is in heaven. As no man” 
knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whom the 
Son will reveal him; so no man knoweth the Son but 
Father, and he to whom the Spirit, proceeding from tl 
Father does reveal him. For no man can savingly say, 
that Jesus is Jehovah, the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost 
and he, that hath seen me by this divine revelation, says 
Jesus, hath seen the Father also; for I and the Father — 
are one. 
Had not our Lord revealed himself in sapien? lle 
ner, to sinners, no one would have suspected him to be — 
God manifest in the flesh. Till he discovers himself, as 
he does not unto the world, he hath no form nor ccomeli- 
ness, says Isaiah} and when we see him, there is ) y 
in him, that we should desire him; we hide as it were our 
faces from him; he is despised and we esteem him not—= _ 
He was obliged to say to the woman of Samaria, I that 
Speak to thee am He; and to say it with a “Se that 


4 


THE SON OF GOD. 317 


penetrated the heart, before she could believe with her 
heart unto righteousness. Then, indeed, divinely wrought 
upon, she ran, and invited her neighbours to draw living 
water, out of the well of salvation she had so happily 
found. 

’ If our Lord had not called Zaccheus inwardly as well 
as outwardly; if he had not made him come down from 
the pinnacle of proud nature, as well as from the syca- 
more tree; if he had not honoured his heart with his 


" gpiritual, as he did his house with his bodily presence; 


bit 


the rich publican would never have received him gladly, 
nor would the Lord have said, This day is salvation come 


_ to thy house, forasmuch as thou art a son of faithful 
Abraham. 


Salvation did not enter into the heart of Simon, who 
admitted our Lord to his house and table, as well as 
Zaccheus. The penitent woman, who kissed his feet, and 


washed them with her tears, obtained the blessing, which 


the self-righteous Pharisee despised. It was to her con- 
trite spirit, and not to his calious heart, that the Lord re- 
vealed himself, as the pardoning God. 

‘The blind man restored to his bodily sight, knew not 
his heavenly benefactor, till a second and greater miracle 
was wrought upon the eyes of his blind understanding. 
When Jesus found him, some time after he was cured, he 
said to him, “ Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He 
answered, who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him ?” 
And Jesus, opening the eyes of his mind, and manifesting 
himself to him, as he does not unio the world, said, 
“Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with 
thee.” Then, and not till then, he could say, from the 
heart, Lord I believe, and he worshipped him. 

Both the thieves, who were crucified with him, heard 
his prayers and strong cries; both saw his patience and 
his meekness, his wounds and his blood. One continuéd 


‘to make sport of his sufferings, as though he had been a 
bd 2 


> 
% 
os 


318 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


worse malefactor than himself; while the lessed | 
with an internal revelation of his godhead, implored his 
mercy, trusted him with his soul, and confessed him to be 
thé King of glory, at the very moment when he hung, 
tortured and dying, as the basest of slaves. wy 

St. Peter speaks so highly of the manifestation, with 

‘which he, and the two sons of Zebedee were favoured on 
mount Tabor, that we ought not to pass over it in silence. 
They saw the kingdom of God coming with power; 9 
beheld the King in his beauty. “His face did shinelike — 
the sun, and his raiment became white as light; a bright 

‘cloud overshadowed him, and behold a voice out of the 
cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I % 
am well pleased; hear ye him.” 
Nor did our Lord reveal himself less after his resurrec- Z 
tion. Mary sought him at the grave with tears. As she 
turned herself, she saw him standing, but knew not that it E 
was Jesus. He said unto her, Why weepest thou? Whom 
seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, in- — 
quired after the object of her love ; until Jesus calling her — 
by her name, manifested himself to her as alive from the 
dead. Then she cried out, Master! and, in her transport, 
would have taken her old place at’his feet. J 
With equal condescension he appeared to Simon, that 
- he might not be swallowed up with over much sorrow. 
'Trne mourners in Sion weep, some for an absent God,as — 
Mary; others for their sins, as Peters and they will not " 
‘be comforted, no, not by angels; but way by him, who is 
nigh to all that call upon him, and is health to those that 
are broken in heart. He, that appeared first to weeping 
Mary, and next to sorrowing Peter, ‘will shortly visit them 
with his salvation. He is already with them, as he was 
with Mary, though they knew it not; and he will soon 
Joe in them, the sure and comfortable hope of glory. : 

This observation is farther confirmed by the experience 
of the two disciples, who’ walked to Emmaus, and were 


- “ / 


+ 


THE SON- OF GOD. sig 


sad. Jesus drew near, joined and comforted them. He 
made their hearts to burn within them while he takeg 
with them by the way, and opened to them the scriptures. 
But still their eyes were held, that they should not know 
him, before they were prepared for the overwhelming 
favour. And it was not until he sat at meat with them 
that their eyes were opened, and they knew him in the 
breaking of bread. By a fatal mistake, many professors 
in our day rest satisfied with what did not satisfy the two 
disciples. They understood the scriptures, their hearts 
burnt with love and joy; Jesus was with them, but they 


_ Knew him not, until the happy moment, when he fully 


opened the eye of their faith, and poured the light of his 
countenance on their ravished spirits. Happy those, who, 
like them, constrain an unknown Jesus by mighty prayers 
to tarry with them, until the veil is taken away from 


_ their hearts, and they know in whom they have believed. 


Frequent were the manifestations of Jesus ‘to his disci- 
ples before his ascension. An angel appeared to two of 
the holy mourners, and said to them, “ Fear not; »for I 
know, that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is 
risen from the dead. As they ran, with fear and great joy, 
to tell his disciples, Jesus met them, saying, All hail ! and 
they came, held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” 
The same day in the evening, when the doors were shut, 
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, 
came Jesus, and stood in the midst. They were terrified, 
but with his wonted goodness he said, peace be unto you! 
He shewed them his hands and his feet ; ate with them as 
he had done of old with Abraham; and, to testify an in- 
ward manifestation of the Holy Ghost, which he impart- 
ed to them, breathed upon them, as his Spirit breathed 
upon their minds; and thus he opened their understand- 
ings, that they might understand the scriptures. Out of 


‘condescension to Thomas he shewed himself to them a 


‘second time, in the like manner; and:a third time at the 


320 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


‘sea of Tiberias : and afterwards he was 
‘ed brethren at once. 

_ You will, perhaps, say, sir, that fene. mai 
_ ceased, when Christ was ascended to heaven. This is 
true with respect to a manifestation of a body of such 
gross flesh and blood, as may be touched with material 
hands. In this sense believers know Christ after the flesh — 
no more. Our Lord, by his gentle reproof to Thomas, 
discountenanced our looking, for carnal manifestations of 
his person, and I have declared again and again, that 
they are not what I contend for.. 

But, that spiritual manifestations of Christ ceased at 
his ascension, is what I must deny, if I receive the scrip- 
ture. On the contrary they became more frequent— 
Three thousand were pricked to the heart on the day of 
Pentecost, and felt the need of a visit from the heavenly 
physician. He then came revealed in the power of his 
Spirit, with whom he is one. They received the gift of! 
the Holy Ghost, whose office it is to manifest the Son. 
For the promise was unto them and their children, and to 
as many as the Lord our God shall call; witness the last 
words of Christ, in St. Matthew’s gospel, Lo, Iam with 
you always, even unto the end of the world, :_ aa 

Time would fail me to tell of the-five thousand con- 
verted some days after, of Cornelius and his household, 
Lydia and her household; in a word, of all who were 
truly brought to Christ in the first age of Christianity. 
“The Lord opened their hearts. ‘The Holy Ghost fell 
upon them; and they walked in his comforts. Christ 
‘was evidently set forth crucified before their spiritual eyes. 
He dwelt in their hearts by faith: they lived not, but 
Christ lived in them.” They agreed in saying with St. 
Paul, If any man haye not the Spirit of Christ by whom” 
he is savingly known, he is none of his. ___ éj 

Stephen’s experience is alone sufficient to decide the. 
point. When brought before the council, they all saw his 


“a 


THE SON OF Gop. -* gon 


face, as it had been the face of an angel. Being full of - 
the Holy Ghost, he wrought no miracle, he spake no new 
tongue; but “looked steadfastly up into heaven, and saw. - 
the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of 
God; and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and 
the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”— 
This manifestation was calculated only for the private 
encouragement and comfort of the pious deacon. It an- 
swered no other end, but to enrage the Jews and make 
them account him a greater blasphemer and a wilder enthu- 
siast, than they did before. Accordingly they cried aloud, 
stopped their ears, ran upon him, cast him out of the city, 
and stoned him; while Stephen, under the powerful influ- 
ence of the manifestation, kneeled down, called upon God, 
saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit, and lay not this sin to 
their charge. Hence we learn, first, that nothing appears 
so absurd and wicked to Pharisees and formalists, as 
‘the doctrine I maintain. They lose all patience, when 
they hear that Christ really manifests himself to his ser= 
vants. No blasphemy like this, in the account of those, 
who are wise, learned and prudent, in their own jeyes. 
Secondly, that the most exalted saints need a fresh mani- 
festation of the glory, love and presence of Christ, that 
they may depart this life in the triumph of faith. 

If you object, that Stephen was thus favoured, because 
he was about to suffer for Christ, and that it would be 
great presumption to expect the like support, I reply, in 
the five following observations. 1st. We are called to 
suffer for Christ, as well as Stephen, though perhaps not 
in the same manner and degree. 2d. We often need as 
much support from Christ, to stand against the children 
of men that are set on fire, whose teeth are spears and 
arrows, and their tongues a sharp sword ; and to quench 
_ the fiery darts of the devil, as the martyr did to stand a 
shower of stones. 3d. It is, perhaps, as hard to beraked 
with the gout, or to burn several days in a fever on a sick 


322 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


bed, as you or I may be forced to do, as to be for a few 
minutes with Shadrach and his companions i a burning 
furnace, or to feel for a fleeting moment the anguish of — 
bruised flesh and a fractured skull, with our triumphant 
martyr. No one knows, what pangs of body and agonies 
of soul may accompany him through the valley of the 
shadow of death. If our Lord himself was not above 
being strengthened by an angel, that appeared to him 
from heaven, surely it is no enthusiasm to say, that such 
feeble creatures as we are, stand in need of a divine mani- 
festation, to enable us to fight our last battle manfully, and 
to come off more than conquerors. 4th. We betray un- 
belief, if we suppose, that Christ cannot do for us what he — 
did for Stephen; and we betray our presumption, if we 
say, we want not the assistance which this bold champion 
stood.in need of. 5th. The language of our church js 
far different: “Grant,” says she, in her collect for that 
Saint’s day, “O Lord, that in all our sufferings here on ” 
earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly 
look up to heaven, and, by faith, behold the glory that 
shall be revealed ; and being filled with the Holy Ghost, 
may learn to love and bless our persecutors, by the exam- 
ple of thy first martyr St. Stephen, who prayed for his 
murderers, O blessed Jesus who standest at the right bree: . 
of God, to succour all those who suffer for thee.” : 

You see, sir, that I have the suffrage of the Church of 
England; and yours too, if you do not renounce our 
excellent liturgy; so that, if I am an enthusiast for ex- 
pecting to be filled with the Holy Ghost, and, by faith, 
to behold the glory, that shall be revealed, as well as St. 
Stephen, I am countenanced by a multitude of the ~ 
and greatest men in the world. 

But suppose you reject the testimony of St. Sheehen, 
and of all our clergy (when in the desk) touching the 
reality, and the necessity too, of our Lord’s manifesting 
himself on earth, after his ascension into heaven, receive 


e 


THE SON OF Gop. 323 


at least that of St. Luke and St. Paul. They both inform 
us, that, “as Saul of Tarsus went to Damascus, the Lord, 
even Jesus, appeared to him in the way. Suddenly there 
shone a light from heaven, above the brightness of the 
sun, so that he fell to the earth, and heard a voice, saying, 
- Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who 
art thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom 
thou persecutest.””. So powerful was the effect of this 
manifestation of Christ, that the sinner was turned into a 
saint, and the fierce, blaspheming persecutor into a weep- 
ing, praying apostle. 

Methinks T hear you say, true, into an apostle ; but are 
we called to be apostles? No, sir, but we are called to be 
christians : to be converted from sin to holiness, and from 
the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God’s dear 
Son. St. Paul’s call to the apostleship is nothing to 
his being made a child of God. Judas was a christian 
by profession, an apostle by call, and a devil by nature. 
And what is Judas in his own place to the meanest of 
God’s children?—to poor Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom ? 
All, who go to heaven, are first turned from darkness 
to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. This 
turning sometimes begins by a manifestation of Christ; 
witness the authentic account of Colonel Gardener’s con- 
version, published by his judicious friend, Dr. Doddridge ; 
and the more authentic one of our apostle’s conversion, 
recorded three times by St. Luke. And I dare advance, 
upon the authority of one greater than St. Luke, that no 
one’s conversion ever was completed without the revela- 
tion of the Son of God to his heart. I am the way and 
the door, says Jesus, no man cometh to the Father but 
by me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of 
the earth. Our looking to him for salvation would be to 
as little purpose, was he not to manifest himself to us, as 
our looking towards the east for dight, if the sun were not 
to rise upon us. 


‘ae 


= ad 
- 


324 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OF 


The revelation of Christ, productive of St. Paul’s con- 
version, was not the only one ‘with which the apostle was 
favoured. “ At Corinth the Lord encouraged and spake 
to him in the night by a vision. Be'not afraid, but t speak — 
and hold not thy peace; for I am with thee, and 1 no man 
shall hurt thee.” On another occasion, to wean him & 
from earth, Christ favoured him with the nearest views of 
heaven. “T knew a man in Christ, says he, whether in 
the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, who was 
eaught up into the third heaven, into paradise, and heard 
words which it is not possible for man to utter.” And he 
informs us farther, that lest he should be exalted above 
measure, through the abundance of the revelations, a 
messenger of Satan was suffered to buffet him. When he 
had been brought before the Sanhedrim for preaching the 
gospel, St. Luke informs us, that “the night following, 
the Lord stood by him, and said, be of good cheer, Paul; 
for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou 
bear witness also at Rome.” ‘The ship, in which he 
sailed, being endangered by a storm, there stood by him, 
“the angel of God, whose he was, and whom he served, 
saying, Fear not, Paul, &c.” 

St. Paul was not the only one to whom Christ mani- 
fested himself in this familiar manner. Ananias of Da-~ 
mascus, was neither an apostle, nor a deacon ; neverthe-_ 
less to him “ said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And 
he said, Behold, I am here, Lord; and the Lord said, 
Arise, and go into the street, which is called Straight, and — 
inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tar- 
sus; for behold he prayeth.” In like manner Philip was 
directed to go near and join himself to the Eunuch’s 
chariot. And St. Peter being informed, that three men 
sought him, “ Arise, said the Lord, and go with them, 
doubting nething, for I have sent them.” - 

Whether we place these manifestations in the class of 
the extraordinary, or of the mixt ones, we equally learn 


\ 


THE SON OF Gop. - 825 


from them, Ist. That the Lord Jesus revealed himself as 
much after his ascension as he did before. 2dly. That if 
he does it to send his servants with a gospel message to 
particular persons, he will do it much more to make that 
message effectual, and to dees salyation to those who 
wait for him. 

As for the revelations of Christ to St. John, they were so 
many, that the last book of the New Testament is called 
the Revelation, as containing chiefly an account of them. 
© ¥ was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, says the apostle ; 
and I heard behind mea great voice, as of a trumpet, 
saying, I am the first and the last; I turned to see the 
voice, that spake with me, and I saw one like unto the 
Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, 
and girt with a golden girdle. His head and hair were 
as white as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire, his feet 
like unto fine brass burning in a furnace, his voice as the 
sound of many waters, and his countenance as the sun 
shining in his strength. When I saw him, f fell at his feet 
as dead ; and he laid his hands upon me, saying, fear not, 
IT am the first and the last. I am he, that liveth and was 
dead, and behold, f am alive for evermore; and have the 
keys of hell and death. Write the things which are and 
shall be.” One of the things which our Lord command- 
ed John: to write, is a most glorious promise, that he 
stands at the door of the human heart, ready to manifest 
himself even to poor lukewarm Laodiceans; and that, if any 
man hear his voice and open the door—if they are made 
conscious of their need of him, so as to open their hearts by 
the prayer of faith, he will come in, and feast them with 
his gracious presence, and the delicious fruits of his bless- 
ed Spirit. Therefore the most extraordinary of all the rev- 
elations, that of St. John in Patmos, not only shews, that 
the manifestations of Christ run parallel to the canon 
of scripture, but also gives a peculiar sanction to the 
ordinary revelations of him, for which I contend. 
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FRAGMENTS. 
106 — 
FIRST FRAGMENT. 


On Seriousness: 


Norsine is so contrary to godliness as levity. Seri- 
ousness* consists in the matter of what is spoken, in the 
manner of speaking, in dignity of behaviour, and in 
weighty, not trifling actions. Some people are serious by 
nature, some by policy, and for selfish ends, and some by 
grace, and from a sense of duty. 

Jesting and raillery, lightness of behaviour, useless 
occupations, joy without trembling and awe of God, an 
affectation of vivacity and sprightliness, are all contrary 
to the Spirit of God. A fool laughs loud, saith Solomon : 
but a wise man scarce smiles a little. 

_ Levity is contrary to contrition and self-knowledge—to 
watching and prayer—frequently to charity—and to com- 
mon sense, when death is at-our heels. 

Levity is destructive of all devotion—in our own heart 
—and in that of others, by unfitting the company for 
receiving good, and bringing a suspicion of hypocrisy 
upon all. 

Seriousness is useful to prevent the foregoing miscar- 
riages—to keep grace—to recommend piety and a sense 
of God’s presence—to leave room for the Spirit to work— 
and to check levity and sin in others ! 

And have we not motives sufficient to seriousness? Are 
we not priests and kings to God—temples of the Holy 
Ghost ? Are we not walking in the presence of God—on 
the verge of the Grave—and in sight of eternity ? 


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$28 FRAGMENTS. 


All who walk with God are seriogal taking: heir Lord — 
for their example, and walking by seript re 
warnings. 

But, are we to renounce innocent 1 

diseased. Are we to be dull and m +. 
“ness and Solid happiness are A oatees Is fers 
time for all things? There is no time for sin ore a 


a 


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SECON t ie NT ie 
ECOND FRAGMENT. ere j 
On Pleasure. — ae vn aa 
oe Nee 
Dyine to pleasure, eyen ‘the 10 ae ent, we shall 
live to God. Of pleasures there are four ts. Sensual 
Pleasures—of the eye, ear, taste, smell, ease, indulgence, 


&e. Pleasures of the PER entanglements, 
creature love, unmortified friendships. Pleasures of the 
mind—curious books, deep researches, speculation 
erings after news—wit—fine language. Pleasures 
imagination—schemes, fancies, suppositions. >; 
God requires, that we should deny ourselves in all these 
respects, because, 1st. God will ‘have the heart which he 
cannot have, if pleasure hath it; an ‘a ‘is a jealous 
God. 2d. There is no solid union with God, until i ina 
christian sense, we are dead to creature Sup(ortes Pes 
sure is the Gordian knot. 3d. God is purity—hankering 
after pleasure is the cause of almost all our sins—the bait 
of temptation. 4th. God calls us to shew our faith ay 
love us a tian of a ee 


and fossalcig all te follow Christ, Gih. od mal 
exceptions. All the offending members must be cut off, 
every leak must be stopt; or the corrupting pleasure " 
spared gets more ascendant. 7th. Pleasures render the 


FRAGMENTS. 329 


soul incapable of the operations of the spirit, and obstruct 
divine consolation. 
~ Now nature is all for pleasure, and lives upon sensual- 


_ity. The senses, heart, mind, and imagination, pursue 


always objects that may gratify them.- We love plea- 


é 


~ 


2 
a 


sure, so, as to deprive ourselves of every thing to enjoy 
it, in some kind or other; and we undergo hardships to 
procure it. Nature frets horribly, if disappointed in this 
favourite pursuit; and yet if nature is pampered, grace 
must be starved. 

Earthly pleasures are of a corrupting nature: for exam- 
ple, that of taste, if indulged, spreads through, corrupts 
and dissipates all the powers of the soul and body. It is 
so much the more dangerous, as it hides itself under a 
mask of necessity, or colour of lawfulness ;. and does all 
the mischief of a concealed traitor. It betrays with a kiss, 
poisons with honey, wounds in its smiles, and kills while 
it promises happiness. 

Indulgence enervates and renders us incapable of suf- 
fering from God, men, devils, or self; and stands contin- 
ually in the way of our doing, as well as suffering, the 
will of God. It is much easier, therefore, to fly from 
pleasure, than to remain within due bounds in its enjoy- 
ment. ‘The greatest saints find nothing so difficult, noth- 
ing makes them tremble so, as the use of pleasure ; for it 


‘requires the strictest watchfulness and the most vigorous 


attention. He must walk steadily, who can walk safely, 
on the brink of a precipice. 

‘The absolute necessity of dying to pleasure will appear 
from the following considerations. The earthly senses 


_must be spiritualized; the sensual heart, purified ; the wan- 


dering mind fixed; the foolish imagination made sober. 
Worldly pieoate are all little, low and transitory, and 
a hindrance to our chief good. Much moderation, howev- 


€r, is to be used in the choice and degree of our mortifica- 


ons. ‘Through pride, nature often prompts us to great 
. Ee 2 


330 FRAGMENTS. 


extremes, which hurt the body, ond tine 
mind into sourness and obstinacy. “But to 
walk in the right path of self denial, we have 
recollection. yer | 

mie a oy. he 
THIRD FRAGMENT. 


‘ 


On Hypocrisy. > : 


- 


Many pretend to a share of the holy child, but we want 
all the wisdom of the true Solomon to know the mother 
from the harlot. A hypocrite hides — wickedness under 
a cloak of goodness—clouds without rain, wells without 
water, trees without fruit, the ape of piety, the mask of 
sin, glorious without—carrion within. They de not put 
off, but throw a cloak over it. © 


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Satan an Arch-Hypocrite. 


Havine apostatized from God himself, he endeavoured 
to vent his malice and envy on God’s faveurite, MAN. 
He disguised himself as a serpent, sheweth much love 
and friendship, and by that appearance deceived Eve. 
Though God has.@gepared an antidote, yet he goes about 
murdering the children of men with increasing craft, (for 
he is now the old serpent) he is still opposing Christ, ~ 
picking up the seed of the word, hindering the sowers; — 
sowing tares. He is the strong man, j armed with the force — 
of an angel, the subtlety of a fallen ang 
himself into souls, as into serpents. 
sure for the sensual, wealth for 
for the ambitious, and science for 
transforms himself as an angel of light, gi | with 
heavenly appearances—but, his light is darkness, ” how 
' great is that darkness ! Ko Vs Niggas * 

He works admirably on iteidiapnaltielg ms On igno- 
rance of evil, or forgetfulness of the sword of | the 
He finds us blind, or blinds our eyes’ to ™* e 


FRAGMENTS. 331 


better in his mill. 2. On security.» He puts far from us the 
thoughts of death—Ye shall not surely die. 3. On idleness. 
When David was idle at home, and Joab in the field, Satan 
took that opportunity to draw him into the snare of lust. 
4. On unreasonable scruples of conScience—diseourage- 
ment—extremes. If he can’t put out the fire of zeal, he 
will make it break out at the chimney, and drive fasting 
into starving. 5. Ile suits his temptations to the subjecis, 
drives the nail that will go, and causes-the stream of natu- 
ral propensities to flow. He tempts not, in general, the 
old to pleasure, nor the young to covetousness, nor the sick 
to drunkenness, but to impatience. 


The Moral H. ‘ypocrite. 


Many mistake nature for grace, and so rest short of a 
true change: strong sense, keen wit, lively parts, and a 
good natural temper puff up many. The tempering makes 
a vast difference in many blades, all made of the same 
metal ; some of which will bend before they break, others 
break before they bend. Good nature, without grace, 
maketh a fairer shew than grace with an evil nature.-—A 
cur outruns a greyhound with a clog. 

The hypocrite derives his honour from his birth; the 
child of God from his new birth. The hypocrite hath 
his perfections from the body—from his complexion and 
constitution, which are not praise wortly; but the Chris- 
tian hath them from his better part, the soul. A warm 
temper hath often the appearance of zeal, a cooler of pa- 
tience, melancholy of contemplation, lively blood and 
strong spirits, of spiritual joy. 

The hypocrite serves God with what costs him nothing, 
only going down the stream; but the Christian works 
with strife and industry, wrestleth, and keeps his body 
under. 

The hypocrite is disposed to some virtues, and refrains 
from those vices, that are contrary to his taste and humour, 


332 FRAGMENTS. 


as an elephant abhors a mouse; but the Christian shuts 
every door against sin and is thoroughly coger 7 . 
good work. 

The hypocrite puts reason in the place Codixelisil on 
the contrary, the Christian brings reason under the com- 
mand of religion: his understanding bows to faith, and 
his free will to God’s free grace. f 

The hypocrite derives his virtues from himself, spider 
like. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man.* The — 
Christian hath his virtues from above—the one is like 
marshy ground, the other is watered from heaven. Again, 
the hypocrite curses himself by giving to reason the com- 
mand of appetite, not knowing that his reason is crooked ; 
but the Christian puts all under the strict rule of grace— 
Grace is Sarah, Reason Agar. The one talks of right 
reason, the other rectifieth it. 

The hypocrite puts honesty in the place of piety ; but 
the Christian is honest and kind from a principle of gen- 
uine piety. There was a difference between Alexander 
and David pouring out water—the one before gies: soldiers, 
the other before the Lord. 

He hath for virtues only shining viees—virtues proceed- 
ing from unsanctified reason, and spoiled by the intention : 
thus, a covetous, indolent man avoids and hates law suits; — 
he is sober and temperate, through love of money, or of 
health and reputation; he is diligent and industrious to 
compass profit. But the Christian hath the truth, if he 
wants the perfection of virtue; the ‘one shines as rotten 
wood, the other as gold in the ore. — * abe 

The hypocrite cries up virtue, and exclaims against 
vice, rather by speech than practice; but the king’s 
daughter is glorious within : the one speaks, the other 
lives great things. B we Ree 

The hypocrite keeps himself. from gross sins, but har- 
bours spiritual corruptions. Does he subdue his passions? 


* Jer. xvii. 5. 


- 


FRAGMENTS. 333 


They are in the way of his glory and quiet. Does he do 
good? It is to be more in love with himself. The Chris- 
tian cleanseth himself from all spiritual vices: the one is 
settled on the lees of self-love, the other is emptied of self 
and filled with Christ. 

The hypocrite compares himself with the child of God 
when under disadvantages; as for example, when he is 
fallen, or overtaken in an infirmity : but the whitest devil 
shall not stand in the judgment with the most tawny child 
of God. The meteor may blaze, but the star standeth. 


The Hearing Hypocrite. 


Tue hearing hypocrite hears Christ’s word without 
benefit; he assembles with the pious whom he deceives, 
as he hopes to deceive Christ.* He goes to meet Christ, 
not as the bride but only as the bride’s friend. He is 
the stony ground: he is sermon proof, repels conviction, 
takes nothing to himself, or shakes it off, as sheep do the 
rain. He hath the forehead of the whore, and refuses to 
be ashamed. Christ condemns him, both as a worker of 
iniquity, and a builder on the sand. The Christian hears, 
so that his profiting appears unto all men; he hears Christ 
himself through the minister; and the word is able to 
save his soul, as a savour of life unto life: nor is he a for- 
getful hearer, but a doer of the word. 

The hypocrite will hear only such ministers as suit his 
humour—Balaam suits Balak, a lying prophet Ahab. He 
will neglect or slight others. ©The Christian hears God’s 
voice through every messenger of his, the plainer the 
message the better he receives the messenger—as an angel 
of God, even as Christ Jesus. He judges not of the word 
by the preacher, but of the preacher by the word. He, 
like Jehosaphat, will hear Micaiah preach rather than 


the four hundred prophets of Baal. 


* Luke xiii. 26. “ $ Jer: iii. 3. 


334 FRAGMENTS. 


The hypocrite hears in-hopes of hear 
new, therefore when he has heard a few times, 
weary, and longs for a new preacher. ui 
heart, fike a ‘sick stomach, loathes- its, daily 
the Christian is never tired of the si ere ' 
word; he desires no new wine; hel shied after 
forty years—Evermore give us this bread. hls 

The hypocrite hearkens more after eloquence th 
substance. He likes. Apollos’s, not Christ’s 
he hears not for life; he sports with the inf 
Samson—but death is at the door. “Ime en looks. . 
most to the power of the word; he comes not as to a 
show, but to the bar, weighs the matter rather than the 
manner, and regards the message more than the messen- 
ger. The one falls down before man, and the other be- 
fore God.. oh : 

He will not hear all : comforts, promises, and Bane 
truths he loves; the doctrines of the cross he hates. 
foil, a wooden sword; that draws no bloo 1, suits ur 
The Christian hears all God’s word, loves to be smitten, 
does not say, Hast thou found me, O mine ee but, 
Search me and try my heart. 

The hypocrite looks on the word as a any or a land- 
scape; he loves to hear of Christ’s ‘miracles, of the pro- 
digal son, &c. but draws a curtain before his own picture. 
The Christian looks on the word as a glass to see himself. 
The one uses the word as children their books, | looking 
more at the pictures than the em the other sees Himself 
and improves. 

He hears, without preparing Tis heart to hear; he 
minds his outward more than his inward man 5 he uses 
no exergise to get an appetite ; it is DED: if he hears, 
though he digests nothing. He sows among thorns hhay~ 
ing never ploughed, and they choke. a ws he 
looks to his feet, comes hungry to the house 
ing to be fed, and is not willing to go : hout ‘his! portion. 9 
if 


. 


* 


ij FRAGMENTS. 335 


He hears only for the present time, as he would hear a 
concert of music; the Christian hears both for the time 
present and to come; he studies what he hears, and to 
what end, that he may turn it into practice. He remem- 
bers that word, Take heed how you hear. 

He proposes to himself some carnal end, if any at all— 
as to be noticed for his diligence—to be reputed a good 
churchman—to fulfil his task of hearing—perhaps to cavil 
and find fault—to make amends for not doing, to please 
a friend. Festus thus pleased Agrippa, and Ahab heard 
Micaiah for Jehosaphat’s sake: but the Christian hears for 
his own and others edification. 

If the: hypocrite is of the second class of hearers, he 
sometimes pretends to practice as an excuse for not hear- 
ing. “1 have,” says he, “enough in one sermon to prac- 
tice all the week.” The Christian makes hearing and 
practice to go hand in hand; he will redeem time for 
hearing from recreation and sleep; his hearing is a spur 
to his practice. He dves not pretend practice as a hin- 
derance to his hearing, like Judas, who, out of pretend- 
ed regard to the poor sought to rob Christ of his due. 

‘Sometimes he trembleth under the word, but yet he 
shifts it off, before it has taken hold of his heart. Asa 
tree shaken by the wind takes deeper root, so is he more 
rooted in his sins. Felix’s fearfulness surpriseth the 
hypocrite before he is aware; he is ashamed of himself, 

‘angry at the preacher, and, Cain like, he runs from God, 
instead of going to him. But the Christian trembles at 
the word, as afraid to sin against it, One is Pharaoh, the 
other Josiah. 

He is a seeming friend, but a secret foe, to the gospel, 
When the word is a hammer, he is an anvil; when it is 
a fire, he is clay. But the Christian is both reconciled to, 
and. transformed into the word; receiving it as the word 
of God in the love thereof. If the word be a nail, it 


i 


. 


336 PAGERS. 


nails him to Christ ; if. a swor 
dissected ; if : a fire he is like w 
kisses the word, like Judas the 
JoBeph idid Benjamin. 


Sai, 


| Tur praying hypocrite 


-) with his heart; the heart of a Chit 


prayer.* oes 

_ The hypocrite ies scoring 
no further, like Israel for ae 
God’s nN dep for child? 


He is wali ae 


‘nish a table in the wilderness? hear and an- 
swer >” "Phe Christian as! 1) in fa ng wavering 
as Moses at the red see w] é ried and tesa 
death. ee Bi rk ie 


the ‘Oedseieeh “JT am not ot worthy. Pol eth with 
God if not answered—“ This evil is of the Lord ;” but 
the Christian waiteth patiently, saying, It is the Lord, let 
him do as he pleaseth. aS eh fa ce os 
He prays without repentance regard iniquity i 
his heart; but the Christian confesses d 
The hypocrite prays without faith, 


an answer; therefore ea ap : 
ei: | in secret. 


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7 


FRAGMENTS. $57 
. 


At other times the hypocrite will exceed measure— 
but only in company, like the Ave Maria’s of the Papists. 
Fhe true Christian measures his prayers by his affections, 
and by works of charity and duty. 

The hypocrite prays in adversity, not in prosperity; 
he comes like the leper, or beaten child. The Christian, 
as the loving son, prays in prosperity, without the compul- 
sion of the rod. Or, perhaps, he will pray in prosperity, 
but in adversity his heart sinks, like Nabal’s ; he murmurs, 
complains, and cries out, “ Why doth the Lord do thus 
unto me?” The Christain remembereth those words of 
St. James, Is any afflicted let him pray. The one, as a 
bastard, runs away; the other kisses the rod, and sees 
every thing as the answer of prayer, silted himself 
wholly to the will of God. 


The Preaching Hypocriiée worse than ail. 


ApMITTED of men, not called of God, he preaches 
Christ, but not for Christ. Put me, saith he, into the 
Priest’s office, that I may eat a morsel of bread. He is, 
perhaps, a preacher of righteousness, but a worker of ini- 
quity. But the true Christian preacher only spends and 
is spent upon Christ and his mterest; he is careful not 
only of his gifts, but of his grace; not only to be sent of 
men, but of God. The one preaches himself and for 
himself, the other preaches Christ and for Christ. 

The hypocrite is ambitious to shew his learning—to be 
admired rather than to be useful: Not so St. Paul.* A 
scribe well instructed bringeth out of his own treasures 
things new and old. 

He brings in learning, but not divine learning ; his ar- 
tificial fire hath no warmth in it. ‘But the Christian min- 
ister, though perhaps le in Egyptian wisdom as 
Moses, and in the Greek literature as St. Paul, who quo- 
ted Aratus to the Athenians,+ Menander to the Corinthi- 


ta Cor. ii. + Acts xvii. 28. 
Ff 


338 FRAGMENTS. 


ans,* Epimendes to Titus,+ never uses it but as the Agar 
of Sarah ; Christ crucified being his chief knowledge. 

The hypocrite uses divine learning, to human, carnal 
ends ; to get preferment, or fame, to support opinions or 
parties. The minister of Christ handles not the word of 
God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth.t He 
glorieth not in his preaching, a necessity being laid upon 
him by Christ. 

The hypocrite chuses subjects on which he may shine 
and please ; the other, those which may awaken and edi- 
fy—disclaiming men-pleasing. The one shoots over the 
heads, the other aims at the hearts of his hearers, suiting 
himself to the meanest capacity. 

He puts on a face of zeal, without zeal; and trying to 
move others, is himself unmoved. He cannot say, with 
Christ, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up : his zeal 
is ignisfatuus, or perhaps a heathenish fire lighted at Sene- 
ca’s torch—not a burning, as well as a shining light. He 
may have some feelings, but they are over with his sermon 
or prayer ; some warmth for the Church, as Jehu, because 
itis his party. But the Christian minister hath more zeal 
in his bosom than on his tongue. Elijah-like, the word 
of the Lord is a fire in his bones. His soul mourns in 
secret places for the sins he reproves openly.4 He can 
put probatum est, to what he preaches ; and his zeal hath — 
a very large measure of gospel love—it saves others, while 
it consumes himself. lige im 

The hypocrite is, perhaps, strict in his rules, loose in — 
his practice, binding heavy burdens that toucheth not 
himself. He is like a finger post, which shews the way, 
but never walks in it; he promises liberty, while he is 
himself the slave of sin. The true preacher is afraid to 
preach what he practises rite he lives his sermons over. — 
As a brave captain, he saith, “follow me,” he aims at — 
Thummim as well as Urim, perfection as well as alee k 


1 


: 


" 
* 1 Cor. xv. 33. + Titus. 12. + 2 Cor. iv. er. xiii. 17. 


3 , ae ‘ 


FRAGMENTS. 339 


The one makes the way to heaven as broad as he can, 
at least to himself, and oft times allows things to others to 
screen himself. ‘The other makes the way to heaven 
narrower to himself than to his hearers, and never gives 


up the least of the word lest his own foot should be pinched. 
iar et 


FOURTH FRAGMENT. 


On Lukewarni ness. 


Tue lukewarm are two sorts. The first will speak 
against enormities, but plead for little sins—will go to 
church and sacrament. but also to plays, races and shows 
—will read the bible, and also romances and trifling 
books. They will have family prayer, at least on Sun- 
days, but after it unprofitable talk, evi] speaking, and 
worldly conversation. They plead for the church, yet 
leave it for a card party, a pot companion, or the fire 
side. They think they are almost good enough, and they, 
who aim at being better, are (to be sure) hypocrites. 
They are under the power of anger, evil desire and anx- 
ious care; but suppose all men are the same, and talk 
much of being saved by true repentance and doing all 
they can. They undervalue Christ, extol morality and 
good works, and do next to none. They plead for old 
customs: they will do as their fathers did, though ever so 
contrary to the word of God; and whatever hath not cus- 
tom to plead for it, though ever so much recommended in 
scripture, is accounted by them a heresy. ‘They are great- 
ly afraid of being too good, and of making too much ado 
about their souls and eternity ; they will be sober, but not 
enthusiasts. The scripturesthey quote most, and under- 
stand least, are, be not righteous over much—God’s mer- 
cies are over all his works—There is a time for all things, 
&e. They, call themselves by the name of Christ, but 
worship ; 


340 FRAGMENTS. 


ty The second sort of lukewarm persons. assent to all the 
whole bible, talk of repentance, faith and the new birth, 
commend holiness, plead for religion, use outward 
means, and profess to be and to do more oar. 
But they yield to carelessness, self-indulgence, fear of 
man, dread of reproach, and of loss, hatred of the cross, 
love of ease, and the false pleasures of a vain imagination. 
These say, do, and really suffer many things; but rest 
short of the true change of heart, the one thing needful 
being still Jacking. "They are as the foolish virgins, with- 
out oil—as the man not having on the wedding garment. 

Of these the Lord hath said, He will spew them out of 
his mouth: But, why so severe a sentence? Because, Ist. 
Christ will have a man hearty, and true to his principles ; 
he looks for truth in the inward parts. As a consistent 
character he commended even the unjust steward. 2nd. 
Religion admits of no lukewarmness, and it is by men 
of this character, that his name is blasphemed. 3d. A 
bad servant is worse than a careless neighbour, and a trai- 
tor, in the guise of a friend, is more hateful and more 
dangerous than an open enemy: Judas was more infa- 
mous than Pilate. 4th. The cold have nothing to trust 
to, and harlots and publicans enter into the kingdom of 
heaven, before moral or evangelical pharisees, who in 
different degrees, know their master’s will, and do it not: 
They shall be beaten with many stripes. 


FIFTH FRAGMENT. 


Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed 
on thee, because he trusteth in thee —Isa. xxvi. 3. 


Tue very centre of christian religion is union with Christ, 
and the receiving him as our afi; in other words called 
faith, or a staying our minds on him. To the doing this, 


there are many hindrances, but the two gr and most 
general ones are, i Hh 9 


wit FRAGMENTS. 341 


First, That want of self-knowledge ; this keeps ninety- 
nine out of one hundred from Christ. They know not, 
or rather feel not, that they are blind, naked, leprous, 
helpless, and condemned ; that all their works can make 
no atonement, and that nothing they can do will fit then 
for heaven. When this is truly known, the first grand 
hinderance to our union with Christ is removed. 

The second is, The want of understanding the gospel 
of Christ; the want of seeing therein the firm foundation 
given us for this pure and simple faith, the only solid 
ground of staying our souls on God. We must remember, 
that the gospel is. good news, and not be slow of heart to 
believe it. Christ receiveth sinners, he undertaketh their 
whole concern ; he giveth not only repentance, but remis- 
sion of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. He creates 
them anew—his love first makes the bride, and then de- 
lights in her. The want of viewing Christ in this light, 
as the author and finisher of our salvation, hinders the 
poor, humble penitent from casting himself wholly on the , 
Lord, although he hath said, “ Cast thy burden on the 
Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” 

I do not mention sin, for sin is the very thing, which 
venders man the object of Christ’s pity. Our sins will 
never turn away the heart of Christ from us, for they 
brought him down from heaven to die in our place; and 
the reason, why iniquity separates between God and our 
soul, is because it turns our eyes from him, and shuts up 
in us the capacity of receiving those beams of love, which 
are ever descending upon and cflering themselves to us. 
But sin sincerely lamented, and brought by a constant act of 
faith and prayer before the Lord, shall soon be consumed, 
as the thorns laid close toa fire; only let us abide thus 
waiting, and the Lord will pass through them and burn 
them up together. 

When the soul feels its own helplessness, and receives 
the glad tidings of the gospel, it ventures upon Christ ; 

Ff 2 


342 FRAGMENTS. 


and though the world, the flesh, and the devil pursue, so 
that the soul seems often to be on the brink of ruin, it has 
still only to listen to the gospel, and venture on Christ, as 
a drowning man on a single plank, with, “ I can but per- 
ish,” remembering these words, Thou wilt keep him im 
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he 
trusteth in thee. 

The consequences of thus trusting, are that God keeps 
the soul from its threefold enemy—defends it in temptation, 
in persecution, in heaviness. ‘Through all it finds power 
to repose itself in Christ—to say, “God shall chuse my in- 
heritance for me.” Here the Christian finds peace with 
God, peace with himself, and peace with all around him— 
the peace of pardon, the peace of holiness; for both are ob- 
tained by staying the mind on Christ. He walks in the 
perpetual recollection of a present God, and is not disturbed 
by any thing. If he feels sin, he carries it to the Saviour, 
_ and if in heaviness, through manifold temptations, he still 
holds fast his confidence—he is above the region of clouds. 

The careless sinner is not to be exhorted to trust in 
Christ, it would be to cast pearls before swine. Before 
an act of faith, there must be an act of self-despair; be- 
fore filling, there must be emptiness. Is this thy cha- 
racter? Then suffer me to take away thy false props. 
Upon what dost thou stay thy soul? Thy honesty, mo- 
rality, humility; doing good, using the means, business, 
friends, confused thoughts of God’s merey? This will 
never do. Thou must be brought to say, “ What shall I 
do to be saved ;” without trembling at God’s word, thou 
canst not receive Christ. Nothing short of love will do. 

The penitent needs, and, blessed be God, has every en- 
couragement. You have nothing but sin—it is time you 
should understand the gospel. You see yourself sinking 
—Christ is with you. You despair of yourself—hope in 
Christ. You are overcome—Christ conquers. Self con- 
demned—he absolves. Why do not you believe ? Is not 


=." 


FRAGMENTS. i 348 


the messenger, the word, the Spirit of God, sufficient ? 
You want a joy unspeakable—the way to it is by thus 
Waiting patiently upon God. Look to Jesus: he speaks 
peace; abide looking, and your peace shall flow as a river. 


SIXTH FRAGMENT. 


Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said unto them, Is it true, 
O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve 
my Gods, nor worship the golden image, that I have 
set up2—Dan. iii. 14.* 


In this chapter we have an account of those worthies 
who quenched the violence of the fire. Observe, I. 
The dedication of the image. II. The three children 
accused and arraigned. III. Soothed and threatened, 
but preferring death to sin, God’s law to the king’s faith, 
to honour and profit. IV. Nebuchadnezzar’s anger, their 
punishment and deliverance. V. The effect it had on 
the king. 

This account may be applied to the trials of God’s 
children in all ages. The God of this world sets up, in 
opposition to the gospel, three images; the first, a golden 
image, profit; the second, an airy image, honour; the 
third, a beautiful, alluring image, pleasure. 

The first, profit, is worshipped by setting our affec- 
tions upon it, by making it the prime, if not sole object 
of our thoughts, and the Lord even of our Sabbaths. We 
bow down to this golden image, by unjust dealing, run- 
ning in debt without taking care to discharge it, chusing 
rather to wound our conscience than our pocket; by 
countenancing or suffering evil for filthy lucre’s sake, for- 
getting that, “ The love of money is the root of all evil.” 

* The second, honour, is worshipped, when we desire 
the applause of men, or shrink from duty for fear of their 
rage or contempt. 


* Preached at Madeley on the Wake Sunday, A. D. 1763. 


Sell 


a 
- 
a 


* ® 

The third, pleasure, when we indulge the flesh, by ex- 
cessive eating and drinking, by uncleanness, vain shows, 
and heathenish sports; when we delight ourselves in 
dress, furniture, our persons, &e. In a word, when we 
do not sanctify the enjoyment of the creature, by the 
word of God and prayer. 

As the people of God will not bow down to this three- 
fold image, they are accused, threatened and ridiculed. 
Their duty, under such circumstances, is to bear their 
testimony against this idolatrous worship of the God of 
this world, to possess their souls in patience, to believe in 
the Lord’s will and power to save them, not to comply by 


344 FRAGMENTS. 


halves, or compromise the matter with the world; but to 


be ready to offer up their lives, and leave the event to God, 
in a steady purpose not to offend him. 

All came to the dedication, even from afar—but how 
many stay from the house of God though at the door! 
All bowed down but three—how many are now going 
to turn their backs on the Lord’s table? : 

From the dedication of our church, from days set apart 
to be kept holy, Satan takes occasion to enforce the 
worship of his threefold image. Now remember the 
duty of God’s people, and quit yourselves like men. 
Some petty Nebuchadnezzars have sent to gather to- 


gether, not princes, but drunken mens and have set UP 


not a golden image, no, nor a golden calf, but a. living 
bull. O ye, that fear God, be not afraid of their terror, 
be not allured by their music; confess the God of Shad- 
rach, Meshach, and Abednego; and pray that these 
offenders may, with Nebuchadnezzar of old, resolve, not 
only to do nothing against, but not even to speak amiss of 
the Ged of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

To you, my brethren, who worship the image, what 
shall I say? Shall Nebuchadnezzar rise up in judgment 
against you? He blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach 


and Abednego; will you curse him? for in as much as 


~ 


2 
a a 


} 


FRAGMENTS. 345 


you do it to one of his followers, you do it unto him. 
Nebuchadnezzar made a decree, that whoever should 
speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed- 
nego, should be cut in pieces, and their houses made a 
dunghill. And will you cut in pieces, with your tongues, 
or turn into a dunghill, by riot and mobbing, the houses of 
those, who fear and love the God of Shadrach, Meshach 
and Abednego? No other God can deliver after this sort, 
said the heathen; and give me leave to add, no other God 
can punish after this sort. 

The King of kings hath anointed Jesus! he is lifted 
up on the cross—-upon a throne of glory. The decree is 
gone forth, “ At the name of Jesus every knee must bow.” 
All tongues, nations, languages, patriarchs, prophets, 
apostles, martyrs, confessors, angels, archangels and saints, 
above and below, all must fall down. In heaven, trum- 
pets, thunders, lightnings, voices—on earth, the terrors of 
Sinai, all say, kiss the Son. He is not a dead image, but 
the living God. He comes—the trump of God may 
sound te-day. The burning furnace of his indignation is 
heated, and eternity is the duration of their torments, 
whose smoke ascendeth for ever and ever. O let him 
bless you now, in turning every one of you from his ini- 
quities, and you shall keep the feast in heaven. 


: SEVENTH FRAGMENT. — 


Being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his 
sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood, falling 
down to the ground.—Luke xxii. 44. 


Many desire to know, what passes in the hearts of 
great men, when under afflicting circumstances, or en- 
gaged in some great undertaking. Behold the most sub- 
lime scene of suffering held out to us in the word of God: 
here are laid open the last, the dying thoughts and cruel 
sufferings of the Saviour of mankind: here is a scene, 


\ 


£ 


; F es, . * 
346 _ FRAGMENTS. 


“ 
in which we are all most deeply interested Let us look 
into— " ¥ 
I. The agony of our Saviour. I. What he did in his 
agony. ILI. The amazing consequences of that agony. 

The agony of our Lord was a conflict—a violent 
struggle—a grappling and wrestling with the deepest 
horror—the agitation of a breast penetrated with the 
greatest sense of fear and amtazement.—He was heard in 
that he feared. F 

The cause of his agony was, Ist. The powers of dark- 
ness, legions of devils, who poured on his devoted head 
their utmost rage and malice. Every wound, which sin 
had given, and the devil had power to inflict, the pure 
and naked bosom of Jesus opened itself to receive. ‘The 
prince of darkness, whose chain was let loose for the pur- 
pose, now ruled his hour, and, to appearance, triumphed 
over the Prince of life. 2d. The feeling of the weight 
of the wrath of God (and who knoweth the power of 
his wrath?) as kindled against sin—the terrors of the 
_Lord—the cup of ‘trembling—the withdrawing of God’s 
comfortable presence. 3d. The fear of his farther suffer- 
ings—a violent, dreadful, and approaching death. 4th. 
The atoning for our coldness, and the painful foresight, 
with how much truth, those words of the prophet ‘might 
be applied to many, “Is it nothing to you, all ye, that — 
pass by °” 

During this agony he prayed more earnestly. He 
prayed earnestly before, but now more earnestly ; before, 
he kneeled, but now he threw himself prostrate on the 
earth. He prayed aloud with strong cries and tears.* 
He was in an agony, every power of soul and body being 
stretched to the utmost.—Those, who never, or seldom 
pray, are strangers to spiritual conflicts. a 

The greatness of his agony, and intenseness of his 
prayer, caused that amazing circumstance of his sweat Ly 


* Heb. v. 7. : 


ii 


oe -{ ~~ 
4 


FRAGMENTS. : a: 347, 


being, as it were, great drops of blood. Amazing! be- 
cause, it was acold damp night—he lay on the dewy 
ground—it was so profuse as to run down in great drops to 
the ground—the sweat was mixed with blood, bursting out 
of the capillary vessels through the open pores. 

Observe, Adam sinned in a garden; ina garden Christ 
expiates sin. Before death, in the sweat of thy brow, 
&c;’** before death Christ sweat, and with all his body 
laboured. “In sorrow shalt thou bring forth ;” Christ 
sweat blood, strong sign of pain. “Cursed is the ground,” 
&e; Christ, when made sin and a curse, lies prostrate on 
the ground, and bedews it with blood. 

Brethren, we must all be brought to an agony; yea, 
we must be crucified with Christ, if we would reign with 
him. Beware, then, of villifying the spiritual agonies of 
the children of God, by calling them mad fits. 

¥ou who, in agony, have brought forth children, or 
struggled under the load of excessive drinking, or laboured 
for life when in danger, struggle and agonize now for 
your souls. 

Learn to pray most when most troubled—when weak- 
est—when most tempted, Still look to the Lord Jesus— 
adore him—love him. Be not dry like Gideon’s fleece, 
in the midst of this sacred dew. O come for the answer 
of his prayer; “tis thy balm of Gilead, the precious oint- 
ment, which runs down to the skirts of his clothing — 
Wash away thy sin; bathe in his bloody sweat; it is the 
former and the latter rain, bedewing prophets and apostles. 

Let every believer remember (and rejoice in the remem- 
brance) that sweat, pain, the earth, the grave are sancti- 
fied; and let every stubborn unbeliever beware of the cry 
of his blood. It now cries better things, by and by, it 
will cry bitterer things, than the blood of Abel. 


* Gen. iii. 


348 FRAGMENTS. 


EIGHTH har ine 


The kingdom of heaven suffereth vi , and th vion, | 
lent take it by force.— wii " 


Tae grand device of Satan is io prevent us ieee 
the necessity of this holy violence, or from putting it in 
execution. To prevent the effect of this stratagem, our 
blessed Lord gives us the plainest directions in these words, 

“ Strive to enter in at the strait gate—Labour_ for the 
meat, which endureth to eternal life, &¢. &c.” 
scripture is the direction more plain, than in that of the 
text, “The kingdom, &c.” Let us consider, L he a 
nature of this kingdom. II. How the violent take it + 
force. TI. Answer an objection to the doctrine ob the 
text... 

This ice is that of grace, which bring down a 
heavenly nature and felicity into the believing soul. The 
kingdom within us is righteousness and peace, and joy— 
it is Jesus apprehended by faith, as given for us, and felt 
by love, as livingin us. In a word, it is the image of God 
lost in Adam and restored by Christ—pardon, holiness, 
and happiness, issuing in eternal glory. 

This kingdom suffereth violence, which is offered, 1st. 
To those Lords, who reign over us—the world, the devil, 
the flesh. These rebels must be turned out; our own 
wills must be overcome, and ourselves rendered up to ~ 
God, as to our lawful and chosen Sovereign. 2d. An : 
humble, holy, sacred violence must be used in prayer :— k 
with Jesus, that he would open, in our hearts, the power 
of faith, apply the efficacy of his blood, and bestow upon 
us the spirit of prayer, or in other words, the prayer of | 
faith :—with the Father, that he would look through the 
pillar of fire, and discomfit all our enemies :—with the 
Holy Ghost, that he would take up his abode with us. A 2 

Of this violence we have an example in Jacob wrest- _ 
ling with the angel, who said, “ Let me go, for the day 


vy 


a. 


a 


FRAGMENTS. 6re 


breaketh ;” and he said, “1 will not let the go, till thou 

bless me.”* Here Jacob, being left alone, improves his 

solitude; danger and trouble work in him the right way. 

He prays, prays earnestly, and that against much discou- 
ragement. God and man seem to oppose him; for the 
Angel of the covenant wrestled, as if to get loose from his 
hold. It was a spirtual wrestling ; he wept and made 
supplication, but before he prevails the Angel touched the 
hollow of Jacob’s thigh, and hindered him from wrestling 
in his own strength. Then the Spirit alone made inter- 
cession; nature failed and grace was conqueror—* When 
I am weak, then am Istrong.” He says, “ Let me go,” 
as God once said to Moses, “ Let me alone ;” thus does 
the Lord sometimes try our faith. This was the case of 
the woman of Canaan, when Jesus, at first, answered her 
not, and afterwards said, “It is not meet to take the chil- 
dren’s bread, and cast it to the dogs.” But when she 
still worshipped, prayed, and waited, she obtained these 
words of approbation, “O woman great is thy faith!” as 
well as the answer of her prayer. So the angel saith, 
“‘ Let me go, the day breaketh—thy affairs want thee— 
thou must have rest ;” but Jacob foregoes all for the bles- 
sing—rest, family, weariness, pain, and answers, “I will 
not let thee go, unless thou bless me.” So must it be with 
us; mone prevail, but those who take the kingdom by 
violence. He conquers at last. ‘“ What is thy name?” 
saith God.—He will have the sinner know himself and 
confess what he is; then he gives the new name, “A 
prince with God.” If God be for us, who can be against 
us ? The Angel does not tell him his name ; for the tree of 
life is better than the tree ‘of knowledge. He saw God 
face to face, and lived: so is it with the faithful wrestlers ; 

God resists only to increase our desires, and we must be 

resolved to hearken to nothing that would hinder. Wea- 

riness, care, friends, fear and unbelief, must all be thrown 


* Gen. xi. 26. 
GE 


’ gtilland see the salvation of God ? Sf you mean by stand- 


350 FRAGMENTS. . 4 


aside, when we seek to see God face to face, ‘and to be — 
brought into the light of life. om Ws iu 1] 
They, who are weary of the Egyptian yoke of ol 


and inward sin, who cannot rest without the love of Jesus ; 
the life of God, at last become: violent. _ They forcibl 
turn from the world; by force they attack the devil: bring — 
themselves, by force, before God; and drag out, by by strong 
confession, the evils that lurk within. Against these they ; 
fight by detesting and denying them. Their strength is — 
in crying mightily to the Lord, and expecting continually 
that fire, which God will rain from heaven upon them, 
All this must be done by force, and with great conflicts ; 
for it is against nature, which hath the utmost ‘reluctance 
to it. 

The words of the text allude. to 0 the tang» fortified 
town by. storming it; and this is, of all military expe- 
ditions, the most dangerous. The-enemy is covered a | 
hid, and those, who scale the walls, have nothing but their 
arms and courage—-But can the wrestling soul over- 
come? can he take this kingdom? Ah! no, not by his own 
strength; but his Joshua will take it for him. God only 
requires, that we should entreat him to do this: The 
prayer of repentance, the prayer of faith, storm mount 
Sion, the city of God. He that is violent shall receive 
the kingdom of God—justification and sanctification: but 
remember, the violent take it by force. He shall have 
many. hard struggle with God’s enemies, and, it may be, 

many with the Lord: himself, before he declagmeduise con- 
queror. 

Some object, 1 we Gar no might; and to ensloontitie to 
take the kingdom, by violence. is taking the matter out of 
God’s hand: Is it not better to wait for the promise, stand 


ing still, not agonizing to enter in at the strait gate, not 
wrestling in prayer, and fighting the good fight of faith— 
May God save you from this stillness! You err not know- 


FRAGMENTS, 351 


' ingthescriptures. The standing still there recommended, 
is, to possess your soul in patience, without dejection, fear 
and murmuring. Stand still as the apostles, who watched 
together in prayer, ran with patience the race set before 
them, and fought manfully, as faithful soldiers, under the 
banner of the cross. Any other stillness is of the devil, 
and leads to his kingdom. Search the New Testament, 
and shew me one standing still, after he had been convin- 
ced of his wants. Did the Centurion, did the woman of 
Canaan, did blind Bartemeus stand still? Did St. Paul, 
did the woman with the bloody issue stand still? Did not 
all of them use the power they had? I do not desire you 
to use what you have not; only be faithful stewards of the 
manifold grace entrusted to you. A kingdom, a kingdom 
of heaven is before you—power to reign with Jesus as his. 
priests and kings. Stir up then thy faith ; reach forward 
te the things which are before. Becomea wrestling Jacob, 
and you shall shortly be a prevailing Israel. Be not dis- 
couraged, for as a good man observes, “God frequently 
gives in one moment, what he hath apparently held for 
Many years.” 
== 
: NINTH FRAGMENT. 
Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. 
Luke xii. 20. 

Ler us consider, I. Why our Lord calls the person 
mentioned in the text fool—Thou fool. II. The sudden, 
and unexpected separation between this rich man and his 
all. Ill. The circumstance of the’ particular time of his 
death—This night. IV. Make some observations on the 
nature and value of asoul. V. Observe who shall require 
the rich man’s soul—it shall be required. WI. Make 
some remarks on the last words of the text, Thy soul shall 
be required of thee. : 

I. It is not without good reason, that our Lord addresses 
the rich man in the text with, Thou fool. The picture 


———— 


352 FRAGMENTS. 


our Lord has drawn of him hath eight strokes, each of ’ 


_ Which proves this worldling to have been an'egregious 


fool. 

"Ist. He was rich in this-world, but neglected being rich 
towards God, rich in grace. ‘2d. He was perplexed 
without reason, and exelaimed; “What shall I do! 
have not where to bestow my fruits.” Had he been wise, 
he would rather have cried out, with the jailer, “ What 
shall I do to be saved!” or he would have inquired 
whether all the houses of his poor neighbours were full; 


_ and whether he could not bestow upon them some of those 


fruits, the abundance of which made him so ‘uneasy. 3d. 
He determined to pull down his barns :—not to break off 
his sins. The pile of them though towering to heaven, 
like Babel, did not make him uneasy. 4th. He'resolved 
to build greater barns: but forgot to build the hopes of his 
salvation on the rock of ages.* 5th. He would say to 
his soul, “Soul thou hast goods laid up:” but lad he 
been wise, he would have considered, that Die 
was rich as to his outward circumstanees, and ee 
which support the body, yet his “soul was poor, misera- 
ble, blind and naked.”+ 6th. He had the folly to promise 
himself a long life, as if he had a lease of it, signed by 
his heavenly Lord. Soul, said he, thou hast much goods 
laid up for many years: but God said, “ Thou fool, this 
night,” &c. 7th. He would say to his soul, Soul » 
thine ease; but had he been directed by wisdom, 
would have exhorted his soul not to rest till he had obeyed, 
the apostle’s precept, “ Work out your own salvation 
with fear and trembling. Alas! how common and how 
dangerous is the mistake of the children of this world, who 
openly follow this fool, and say, either to themselves or 
one to another, “ Soul take thine ease; take care of being 
under any concern about salvation, there is no need of so 


* Mat. viii. 24. + Rev. iii. 7. t Phi. ii. 12, 


( \ 


FRAGMENTS. 353 


much ado about religion and heaven.” 8th. The last 

mark of the rich man’s folly, was to say to his deluded 
soul, eat, drink, and be merry; as if a soul could eat and 
drink, what money can procure or barns contain. No, 
my brethren; the grace of God, and the benefits of Christ’s 
death, which are called his flesh and blood, the bread of 
life and the living water, are the only food and drink pro- 
per for our souls ; and the true mirth and solid joy of a 
spirit is that, to which St. Paul exhorts us, “‘ Rejoice in 
the Lord, and again I say rejoice.’’* 

II. The separation between this rich farmer, and his 
all, was sudden and unexpected—This night, said God, 
shall thy soul be required of thee. This night, not so 
much as to-morrow is allowed him to dispose of those 
goods, which were laid up for many years: he must sud- 
denly, immediately, part with all. 

1st. All his moveable goods—except a winding-sheet. 
2d. All his landed estate, except a grave. 3d. All his 
barns, houses and halls, except a coffin. 4th. All his 
friends, and relations, without exception: he must go this 
dismal journey alone and unattended. 5th. All his time; 
his precious time, which the living kill so many ways, 
and which the dying and the dead would gladly recover, 
by parting with a world, if they had it to part with. 6th. 
His soul it is to be feared. 

Let us here reflect, how careful we are, to secure our 
doors, lest thieves should break in, and take away some 
of our goods; and yet how careless to provide for death, 
who carries away all, or rather hurries us away from all 
at once! What an alarming thought is this, for impeni- 
tent sinners! May their souls be required this very night ! 
O let them not plot wicker and contrive vanity, against 
to-morrow. 

HII. The circumstance of the ssa time of this rich 

X 
* Phil. iv. 4 
: eg 2 


354 FRAGMENTS. 


man’s death, is very awful—This night, not this day, shall 

thy soul, &c. This seems to imply four things. 
1st. darkness and horror, which chiefly belong to the 

night: of this we have striking illustrations, in the d 

tion of the first born of the Egyptians, and of Sennacha- 

rib’s army in Judea. 2d.. Drowsiness and carnal security, 


4 


illustrated in the apposite case of the foolish virgins.* 


3d. Sadness in opposition to those nights, which he had 
perhaps spent in debauchery and vain diversion. Ath. 
Sin and ignorance of the ways of God, which are called 
darkness and night, works of darkness, &c. i in various parts 
of the scripture. - 

O think upon this night of death, ye it stelape Gol: 
How soon may it be here to cast a veil upon your pride, 
and make it share the fate of Absalom’s beauty, Jezebel’s 
paint, and Saul’s stature. 

If this night of death is coming upon all, this night, 
when no man can work, let us follow our Lord’s advice, 
and work the works of God while it is day.+ 

IV. How wonderful is the nature, how inestimable is 
the value of that soul, which was required of this ae 
and which shall be required of us. i 

How excellent is that noble, that. neglected betes 
itself? Spiritual—immortal—endued with the most glori- 
ous faculties—made after the very image of God! 

How precious is it, as well as how’excellent! It is a 
jewel of inestimable value, and its worth may be esti- 
mated, Ist. From the admirable texture of the body, 
which is only the casket where that jewel is placed. 2. 
From the extraordinary pains, which the sons of men 
take to repair and adorn the body, whose value depends 
only on the jewel it contains. 3d. From the testimony 
of Christ, who prefers one soul to the whole material 
creation— What shall it profit a man, if he gain the 
whole world, and lose his own soul ?”t 


* Mat. xxv. + John ix.4. . $ Mat. xvi. 26. 


( aaa SE 


FRAGMENTS. 355 
. 

Suffer me, then, to entreat you, brethren, to bestow on 
your souls, painsand care, in some measure, proportiona- 
ble to their worth ; at least, be not offended with us min- 
isters, for shewing some concern for the salvation of your 
precious immortal souls. 

V. Who shall require his soul >—Thy soul shall be re- . 
quired. The original word, eraimwew, means, They shall 
require. The question then offers itself, Who they are, 
that shall require the unprepared wordling’s soul. 

-  Tanswer, tst. Not Christ, as a Saviour; for in that 
capacity he hath nothing to do with dying unbelievers. 
They would not receive his grace into their hearts, and 
he will not receive them into his glory.* 

Nor good angels: We read, indeed, that they carried 
Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom :+ but the rich man found 
his way to the flames without them. 3d. Nor departed 
saints, who neither can nor will meddle with unregene- 
rate souls, For this we may read the conversation be- 
tween Abraham and the wretch, who prayed to him for 
help.{ Who then? ist. Some unforeseen accident or 
distemper. 2d. Death, who, as an officer, delivers the 
wicked into the hands of the tormentors. 3d. Evil Spirits, 
the ministers of divine justice; which may be inferred 
from the strong sense of the powers of darkness, which 
some wicked men have in their last moments. See the 
case of the memorable Francis Spira. 

Believers cheerfully resign their souls into their Saviour’s 
hands; yea, they long to depart and to be with Christ, 

‘ which is far better. Unbelievers, who have their portion 
in this world, are loath to leave it; but a peremptory, 
forcible command shall set aside all their pleas: their soul 
shall be required. 

VI. The last words of the text, afford matter for the 
last head of the discourse. Death comes to require a 


* Prov. i. 24. &c. + Luke xvi. 22. } Luke xvi. 


_— 
y i 


356 FRAGMENTS. 


soul; “Not of me,” says, perhaps, a tich farmer, “Not of 
me, for Ihave much goods laid up\for many years;” but 
God says, “ Of thee shall thy soul be required.” a 
What, may not the soul of some poor Lazarus, who 
| pines away in want, sickness, and obscurity, be required 
hist? No, says God, it must be required of thee. May 
ut not an old Simeon, who longs to depart in peace, be 
__allowed to die for the rich man ? No ; his hour i is come ; 
-— of him is his: soul required. But, perhaps, ‘some of the 
rich man’s servants, at the feet of the bed, may go upon 
this fatal errand for him? No, says death, he must go 

himself: of thee is thy soul Bs See all those weep- 

ing friends, who surround his bed! May not one of them 

do for death? No cries the stern messenger, Meek gt © is 

to thee. 

Consider the peremptoriness of the deiomnishle messen- 
ger. Gold will not bribe him: Entreaties prevail not. 
He takes no notice of promises of amendment. Tears 
melt him not. In spite of physicians and medicine, he 
does his office, and requires of the worldling his unpre- 
pared soul. spit) 

The epithet, which God fixes on the richman, tisleiné, 
ist. To all, who depend upon many years of life, and do 
not habitually prepare for death. 2nd. To all, whether 
rich or poor, who are not rich towards God. »3rd. Espe- 
cially to those, who, though they have not the convenien- 
ces, and hardly the necessaries of life, will yet trample on 
the riches of divine grace and heavenly glory. If the rich 
worldling was a fool in God’s esteem, how doubly foolish’ 
are the poor, to whom the gospel is preached in vain? 

Ye foolish virgins, ye slumbering souls, awake—arise— 
trim your lamps. Be wise to salvation; be as anxious 
about your eternal, as he was for his temporal prosperity. 
Pull down, not your barns, but your sins, Build not 
larger houses, but the house that will stand, when death 
beats upon you with all its storms. And neversayto © 


ee. 


t sr ey 


FRAGMENTS. 357 


your soul, “Soul take thine ease,” until you have an 
habitation, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

Ye, who are wise virgins, and who are preparing to 
meet the Bridegroom, apply to your souls, but in a better 
sense, the words that the rich fool spake to his soul, “Eat, 
drink, and be merry.” Feed upon the flesh of Christ, 
and drink his blood ; that is, believe the gospel of: Jesus, 
firmly believe that, by his cross, he redeemed you from 
sin, death, hell, and the grave; and through faith in him 
you will be able to rejoice in the Lord, with unspeakable 
joy, and to antedate your heaven. 

I beseech thee, awakened sinner, who tremblest at 
death and judgment, to come, by the prayer of faith, to 


the prince of life, that, through the value of his death he 


may take away the sting of death, sin, from thy heart. 
Steadfastly believe these comfortable words of St. Paul, 
“ He tasted death for every man, that he, through death, 
might destroy him, that hath the power of death, that is 
the devil, and deliver them, who, through fear of death, 
were all their life subject to bondage.”* If you heartily 
credit this blessed report, you will find your fears of death 
changed into longings after it; and, with your dying 
breath, you will be able, through mercy, to challenge the 
king of terrors, and to say, with the apostle, “O death 
where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ,” 


* Heb. ii. 9.14.16. . 


THE 


TEST OF A NEW CREATURE: . 


OR, HEADS OF EXAMINATION FOR 


) ADULT CHRISTIAN 


Examine yourselwes, whether ye be in » the omg 
2. Cor. xiii. 5. 


WHATEVER is the state of one, wholly renewed, must 
be, in a less degree, the state of all, who are born from 
above: and whatever is the fruit of perfect holiness, to . ‘ 
walk by the same rule must be the way to obt ai aim the same 
salvation. The image of God is one, grace is the s 
and to be in Christ is to believe, and. have the fel ov 
of his Spirit.” See ed 


Regeneration differs only in degre of strength and 
soundness. In our early Y ae e divine life is 


comparatively small, and mixed with sin ; but when | per- 
fectly renewed, we are strong and every part pure, hold- 
ing, by faith that salvation, which makes us one with the 
Son of God. 

The law given in our first state, and the Jaw required 
by the gospel, the covenant of works, and the 2 covenant of 
faith, are different. Whatever we see in the exampl of 
Jesus, and whatever he promises to bestow on his follow- 
ers, are unquestionable privileges _ of gospel _salvation. 
Neither is the whole of this salvation, of our justification, 
or of our renewal after the image of God finished, till the 
resurrection, when we shall see him as he is, and, behold- 
ing him face to face, his name shall be written on our : 
foreheads. Nor can we ever have so much of the likeness 
of God, as to be incapable of more; but rather the more 
we obtain of his image and favour, the more we are fitted 
to receive for ever and ever. 


y., 


wy iar es << 


THE TEST OF ar NEW CREATURE. : 359 


reas of Examination. 


I. Do I feel any pride; or am I.a partaker of the 
‘meek and lowly mind, that was in Jesus? Am I dead to 


all desire of praise ? If any despise me, do I like them ‘ 
the worse for it? or, if they love and approve me, dof 


love them more on that account? Am I willing to be 
accounted useless, and of no consequence—glad .to be 
made of no reputation? Do humiliations give me real 
pleasure, and. is it the language of my heart— 


Make me little and unknown, 
Loy’d and priz’d by God alone. 


II. Does God bear witness in my heart, that it is puri- 
fied—that, in all things, I please him? 

IIE. As the life I live, by the faith of the Son of God, 
so that Christ dwelleth in me? Is Christ the life of ali my 
affections and designs, as my soul is the life of my body? 
Is my eye single, and my soul full_of light—all eye with- 
in and without—always watchful? ~~ 

IV. Have I always the presence of God? Does no 
cloud come between God and the eye of my faith? Can 
I rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every 
thing give thanks ? 

V. Am I saved from the fear of man? Do } Nappa 
plainly to all, neither fearing their frowns, nor seeking 
their favours? Have I no shame of religion? and am I 
always ready to confess Christ, tosuffer with his people, 
and to die for his sake ? , 

VI. Do I deny myself; at» all. times, and take up my 
cross as the Spirit of od leads me? Do I embrace the 
cross of every sort, h willing to give up my ease and 
convenience to oblj rs? or, do I expect them to 
conform to my h A ways, and customs? Does the cross 
sit light upon mey and am. ‘I [ willing to suffer all the will 
of God? Can ¥ trample of pleaSure and pain? Have I 


‘ 


) giver to the gift? 


860 THE TEST OF A NEW CREATURE. 


: , > 
A soul inur’d to pain, ‘yar 
To hardships, grief and loss ; 
Bold to take up, firm to sustain, 
The consecrated cross? 


VII. Are my bodily senses, and outward: ene all 


| sanctified to me? Do I not seek my own things, to, please 


_ myself? Do I seek grace more for God than myself, pre- 
ferring the glory of God to all in earth or in heaven, the 


VILL. Am I poor in Spirit? Do I take pleasure: in 
infirmities, necessities, distresses, reproaches; so that out 
of weakness, want and danger, I may cast myself on the 
Lord? Have I no false shame in ‘approaching God? Do 
I seek to be saved, as a poor sinner, by grace alone ? 

IX. Do I not lean to my own understanding? Am I 
ready to give up the point, when contradicted unless con- 
science forbid, and am I easy to be persuaded? Do I 
esteem every one better than myself? Am Tas willing to 
be a cypher, as to be useful, and does my zeal burn bright, 
notwithstanding this willingness to be nothing ? 

X. Have I no false wisdom, goodness, strength, as if the 
grace I feel were my own? Do I never take that glory to 
myself, which belongs to Christ? Do I feel my want of 
Christ, as much as ever, to be my all? and do I draw 
near to God, as poor and needy, only presenting before 
him his well beloved Son? Can I say— 

Every moment Lord I need hie 
The merit of thy death ? rare i 
Still Pll hang upon my God, 
Till I thy perfect glory see; _ 
Till the sprinkling of thy blood z 
Shall speak me up to thee! chang 
Do I find joy in being thus nothing, empty, undeserving, 
giving all the glory to Christ ; or do I wish, that grace made 
me something, instead of God all? 

XI. Have I meekness? Does it bear rule over all my 

tempers, affections, and desires; so that my hopes, fears, 
/ 


“EPR, 


| 


F 
’ 
; 


THE TEST OF A NEW CREATURE. 361 


joy, zeal, love, and hatred, are duly balanced? Do I feel 
no disturbance from others, and do I desire to give none? 


If any offend me, do I still love them, and make it an ¢ 


occasion to pray for them? If condemned by the worldy 
do I entreat ;—if condemned by the godly, am I one, in 
whose mouth there is no reproof; replying only as con- 
science, and not as impatient nature dictates? if in the 


wrong, do I confess it? if in the right, do I submit (being © 


content) to do well, and suffer for it? It is the sin of 
superiors to be overbearing, of inferiors to be stubborn ; 
if, then, I am a servant, do I yield not only to the gentle 
but to the froward; committing my cause in silence to 
God: or if a master, do I show all long suffering ? The 
Lord of all was as he that serveth: If I am the greatest, 
do I make myself least, and the servant of all? Ifa 
teacher, am I lowly, meek, patient, not conceited, self- 
willed, nor dogmatic? Am I ready to give up the claims 
of respect due to age—station—parent—master? &c. 
Or do I rigidly exact those demands ? 

XII. Do I possess resignation: ‘am I content with 
whatever is, or may be; seeing that God, the author of all 
events, does, and will do, all for my good? DoT desire 
nothing but God, willing to part with all, if the Lord 
manifest his will for my so doing? Do I know how to 
abound, and yet not gratify unnecessary wants; but being 
content with things needful, do I faithfully and freely dis- 
pose of all the rest for the help of others? Do I know 
how to suffer need: is my confidence in God unshaken, 
while I feel the distress of poverty, and have the prospect 
of future want, while humanly speaking, strangling were 
better than life: and, in these circumstances, do I pity 
those, who having plenty waste it in excess, instead of 
helping me ? . 

XIII. Am I just; doing in all isa, as I would others 
should do unto me? Do I render due homage to those 
above me, not presuming on their lenity and condescen- . 

ge? Bh Hs i 


Sf 
\ 


toe 
¢ 
Te, 362 THE TEST OF A NEW CREATURE. 


_ sion? As a superior, do I exetcise an undue authority, 
taking advantage of the timidity, respect or necessity 

q of any man? Do I consider the great obligation superiority — 

wlays me under, of being lowly and kind, and of setting a 
good example ? 
XIV. Am I temperate, using the world and not abus- 
ing it? Do I receive outward things in the order of God, 
making earth a scale to heaven? Is the satisfaction I take 
in the creation consistent with my being dead to all below, 
and a means of leading me more to God? Is the turn of 
my mind and temper in due subjection, not leading me to 
any extreme, either of too much silence, or of too much 
talkativeness, of reserve or freedom? 

XV. Am I courteous, not severe ; suiting myself to all 
with sweetness; striving to give no one pain, but to gain 
and win all for their good? 

XVI. Am I vigilant; redeeming time, taking every 
opportunity of doing good; or dol spare myself, being 
careless about the souls and bodies to which I might do 
good? Can Ido no more thanI do? Do I perform the 
most servile offices, such as require labour and humiliation, 
with cheerfulness ? Is my conversation always seasoned 
with salt, at every time administering some kind of favour 
to those I am with? 

XVII. Do I love God with all my heart? DoIcon- — 
stantly present myself, my time, substance, talents, and 
all that I have, a living sacrifice ? Is every thought brought — 
into subjection to Christ? Do I like or dislike, only such 
things as are pleasing, or displeasing to God ? 

XVIII. Do I love God with all my strength, and are © 
my spiritual factties always vigorous? Do I give way to 
no sinful languor? Am I always on my watch? Do not 
business, worldly care, and conversation damp my fervour 
and zeal for God ? : 

XIX. Do I love my neighbour as myself;—every man r 
‘or Christ’s sake, and honour all men, as the image of God? 


iy 


wi ee aay iM ?. pee hi bt) ‘yi odie a 


THE TEST OF A NEW CREATURE. 363 


Do I think no evil, listen to no groundless surmises, nor 
judge from appearances? Can I bridle my tongue, never 
speaking of the fault of another, but with a view to dogood ? 
and when I am obliged to do it, have I the testimony, 
that I sin not? Have I that love, which hopeth, believeth, — 
and endureth all things ? | \ 
XX. How am I in my sleep? If Satan presents any ~ 
evil imagination, does my will immediately Lars - or give ¢ 
way to it? ] 
XXI. Do I bear the infirmities of age or sickness, 
without seeking to repair the decays of nature by strong 
liquors ; or do I make Christ my sole support, casting 
the burden of a feeble body into the arms of his mercy. 
Many consider that perfect love, which casteth out fear, 
as instantaneous: all grace is so, but what is given in a 
moment, is enlarged and established by diligence and 
fidelity. That which is instantaneous in its descent, is 
perfective in its increase. 
This is certain—too much grace cannot be desired or 
looked for; and to believe and obey with all the power 
we have, is the high way to receive al! we have not: 
There is a day of Pentecost for believers, a time, when | 
the Holy Ghost descends abundantly. Happy they, who 
receive most of this perfect love, and of that establishing 
grace, which may preserve them from such falls and de- 
cays as they were before liable to. 
Jesus, Lord of all, grant thy purest gifts to every wait- 
ing disciple. Enlighten us with the knowledge of thy will, 
and shew us the mark of the prize of our high calling. | 
Let us die to all thou art not ; and seek thee with our whole 


heart, till we enjoy the fulness of am purchased possession. 
Amen! 


a, 


THE END. 


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